Zinedine Zidane, the ex-manager of Real Madrid who won the Champions League three times, has been chosen as the new manager of Manchester United after Erik Ten Hag was sacked.

If Thomas Tuchel accepts the position of England manager following reported discussions with the Football Association (FA), it could impact his availability for potentially taking over at Manchester United in the event of Erik ten Hag’s dismissal.

This scenario would likely delay any possibility of Tuchel assuming the role at Old Trafford, despite ongoing speculation about his potential appointment.

Erik ten Hag recently underwent a lengthy six-hour meeting in London with key figures at Manchester United, including Joel Glazer, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, and Sir Dave Brailsford, amid concerns over the team’s recent performance.
United’s disappointing results, including just seven wins in their last 30 Premier League and European matches, have placed ten Hag’s position under scrutiny.

While he has been given additional time to improve results, his future at the club remains uncertain, and a managerial change may be considered if performances do not improve quickly.

Tuchel, who recently left Bayern Munich, is viewed as a leading candidate to replace ten Hag should Manchester United opt for a new direction.

He boasts an impressive managerial resume, having guided Chelsea to Champions League success and achieving success at Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund.

Despite reportedly meeting with Sir Jim Ratcliffe in Monaco regarding the United position, Tuchel’s discussions did not result in an agreement.

Even if Tuchel is unavailable or declines the England role, INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who have recently invested significantly in Manchester United, may turn their attention to another strong candidate—Zinedine Zidane.

According to previous reports from Foot Mercato, Ratcliffe has shown interest in bringing Zidane, the esteemed French football legend, to Old Trafford.

Zidane, renowned for his managerial achievements at Real Madrid, including multiple La Liga and UEFA Champions League titles, has been without a managerial position since leaving Real Madrid in 2021.

Zidane is reportedly awaiting the right opportunity, with speculation suggesting he aims to succeed Didier Deschamps as the manager of the French national team.

However, with Deschamps likely to remain in charge through the 2026 World Cup, Zidane could be enticed by an offer from Manchester United, particularly given the club’s current need for a new direction.

Should Tuchel be unavailable and Zidane become a viable option, Ratcliffe and INEOS may pursue the French manager for the top position at Old Trafford.
Zidane’s international appeal, tactical acumen, and illustrious career make him an attractive candidate for United, should they decide to part ways with ten Hag.

At present, Manchester United’s focus remains on supporting ten Hag and providing him with the opportunity to reverse the team’s fortunes following the October international break.

However, if results do not improve and the team continues to struggle, ten Hag’s position beyond the November international break may be uncertain.

Both Tuchel and Zidane present potential future managerial options for Manchester United, but the outcome will hinge on ten Hag’s performance in upcoming fixtures and the club’s leadership’s decision regarding the need for change.

The potential of Thomas Tuchel becoming England’s manager complicates his availability for Manchester United if Erik ten Hag is dismissed. Tuchel has been regarded as a possible candidate to replace ten Hag, given his success at clubs like Chelsea, PSG, and Borussia Dortmund. However, with reports suggesting Tuchel is in talks with the FA, this could significantly delay or eliminate his chances of taking over at Old Trafford.

Meanwhile, Manchester United’s management remains focused on ten Hag, despite the team’s poor run of form. The Dutch manager recently met with key figures, including Joel Glazer, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, and Sir Dave Brailsford, to discuss the team’s performance after securing only seven wins in their last 30 matches. While ten Hag has been granted more time, the pressure is mounting, and his future could hinge on results after the October international break.

If Tuchel is unavailable, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS might shift their focus to another high-profile candidate: Zinedine Zidane. Zidane, who has been out of management since leaving Real Madrid in 2021, is seen as a potential successor to Didier Deschamps as France’s national team manager. However, if Deschamps stays on until the 2026 World Cup, Zidane might be open to joining Manchester United.

Zidane’s managerial pedigree, including multiple Champions League titles with Real Madrid, makes him an attractive option. Should ten Hag fail to turn things around, Zidane could be the ideal candidate for a club looking for a new direction under Ratcliffe’s ownership. For now, though, ten Hag remains in charge, but his position could be reassessed if results don’t improve.