- As Pochettino, Lopetegui, Rodgers enjoy mention
BY VICTOR OSOWOCHI – As speculations reach feverish pitch over who takes over the managerial seat at Old Trafford following the long-expected sack of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer by the Manchester United management on Sunday, Frenchman, Zinedine Zidane has reportedly the job.
Many had immediately touted the name of former French international and most recently Real Madrid Coach, as a possible replacement. But he seems uninterested in United, according to BBC Sport
The reports claimed that the 49-year-old Frenchman, popularly known as Zizou, despite being approached by the club, is not intrigued by the prospect of moving to Old Trafford.
With the Red Devils parting ways with the Norwegian, pundits and club’s supporters have been upbeat that Zidane has the required credentials to come on board and re-galvanize the team for better performance going forward.
But according to COPE, the Premier League giants will have to look elsewhere because Zidane has refused the chance to take up the huge task at United. It further claimed that the coach, who left Real Madrid at the end of last season, has already spoken with United and told them he won’t be taking the vacant manager position.
It was gathered he feels not yet ready to coach in English and that his wife also does not want to move to Manchester. Rather, there are suggestions that PSG wants him in the ‘short-term’ with the current Parisiens Mauricio Pochettino becoming United’s main target.
Zidane claimed all there was to win during his two spells at Real Madrid, including winning the Champions League three times. After walking away at the end of last season, he did make it clear he wanted a season away from the game to rest and recuperate and it seems not even United can do enough to change his mind as he assesses a possible return to management in the future.
Born 23 June 1972, Zizou is one of the most successful coaches in the world. Also widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, Zidane was a playmaker renowned for his elegance, vision, passing, ball control, and technique.
He received many individual accolades as a player, including being named FIFA World Player of the Year in 1998, 2000, and 2003, and winning the 1998 Ballon d’Or
For now, other names being thrown up in United’s wish list include Julen Lopetegui, whose agent, Jorge Mendes is hoping can land the manager job, and Leicester City’s manager, Brendan Rodgers.
Manchester Evening News report Mendes, who also represents Man Utd star, Cristiano Ronaldo, hopes his influence would be enough to push his client and current Sevilla boss to Old Trafford
On his part, Rodgers has however assured senior players at Leicester that his future is at the King Power Stadium for now.
Reacting to speculations linking him with the Red Devils, the Foxes boss, long-mooted as likely successor to Ole if and when the Norwegian exit Old Trafford, said; “It was a case of just giving some stability and speaking to the senior guys. They know our commitment to the club.” – With additional BBC and COPE reports
