Zinedine Zidane to Man Utd: Training ground visit, nine-word verdict, Bayern Munich snub

Speculation continues to run rife over Erik ten Hag’s future at Manchester United after a disappointing start to the new season, having lost back-to-back games against Brighton and Liverpool.

Zinedine Zidane has been out of work since leaving Real Madrid in 2021 and continues to be linked with the top job at Old Trafford, as he has proven himself at the highest managerial level and would be available without the need to pay a compensation package.

But does Zidane even want to work at United and succeed Ten Hag, despite the vast array of talent and large budget that would be available to the Frenchman?

Express Sport has run the rule over all the latest information available regarding Zidane’s view on returning to coaching and in particular, if heading to United interests him.

Training ground visit

Zidane fueled rumours that he is eager to return to management after he was spotted taking in a Real Betis coaching session, with his son Elyaz training with the senior team for the very first time.

The 52-year-old usually keeps a low profile but his public attendance at the Ciudad Deportiva Luis del Sol raised suspicions that there is perhaps a reason why he was willing to be seen in a coaching setting.

Zidane’s managerial admission

Zidane explained why he wouldn’t take the United job back when it was available in 2021 following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s dismissal.

The former Real Madrid and Juventus superstar had only been out of work for a few months when Solskjaer left his position, but discussed that his inability to speak English was a substantial enough obstacle to have no interest in succeeding the Norwegian.

He told L’Equipe at the time: “I understand English, but I don’t fully master it.”

Three years is plenty of time to attend some English lessons and master the language, but there has been no indication that Zidane has improved his English.

Rejecting Bayern Munich

Bayern Munich have long been touted as a potential destination for Zidane if he does make a long-awaited return to coaching, but earlier this year he explained that he would not be returning to Germany.

The ex-Bayer Leverkusen star was linked with the vacant position before Vincent Kompany succeeded Thomas Tuchel, but he handed a boost to any United hopes that he would pick them over the Allianz Arena dugout.

When asked at the Miami Grand Prix in May whether or not he would be taking over at Bayern, Zidane replied: “No. I am going to watch the game [the second leg of Bayern’s Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid]. I hope Madrid wins but it is going to be a difficult and complicated match.”