Zinedine Zidane names the three things that must happen at Man Utd before he takes job
Zinedine Zidane has indicated the three conditions that must be in place at Manchester United for him to consider managing the team.
After a disappointing second season in charge, Erik ten Hag is facing pressure. This uncertainty has led to several prominent managers being linked with the Old Trafford position, including Zidane.
The iconic French coach has been out of work since departing Real Madrid in 2021. Zidane had two spells as head coach at the club where he once played, winning the Champions League three consecutive times from 2016 to 2018 before returning in 2019 and leading the team to a La Liga title.
Zidane returned to Madrid this weekend for a legends match against Porto, during which he spoke about his departure nearly three years ago.
“I know football and I know the demands of a club like Madrid,” Zidane said, via Marca.
“I understand that when you don’t win, you have to leave, but something very important has been overlooked here—everything I built day-to-day has been forgotten, all that I contributed in terms of relationships with the players and the one hundred and fifty people working with and around the team.”
The future of Ten Hag remains uncertain, especially with the club’s new minority owner, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, unsure if he’s the right fit to lead United back to the top of English football. Zidane outlined three crucial elements for sustained success at a club, implying that he wouldn’t accept the United role unless these factors were guaranteed.
“I am a born winner and I was here to win trophies, but beyond that are people, emotions, life.
“And I feel that these things have not been valued, that it has not been understood that this is also how the dynamics of a great club are sustained.
“In some ways, I have even been criticized for it. Today, the life of a manager at a top club lasts two seasons, not much longer. For it to last longer, human relationships are essential—they are more important than money, more important than fame, more important than everything.”
Zinedine Zidane has expressed his conditions for considering the managerial role at Manchester United, particularly in light of Erik ten Hag’s uncertain future. Zidane, who has been out of coaching since leaving Real Madrid in 2021 after a highly successful tenure, emphasized the importance of human relationships within a club.
In his recent remarks, Zidane outlined three crucial elements he believes are necessary for sustained success at a top club:
1. **Valuing People and Emotions**: Zidane highlighted the importance of interpersonal relationships, stating that they are essential for maintaining the dynamics of a successful club. He believes that the emotional aspects of management should be valued as much as the pursuit of trophies.
2. **Building a Supportive Environment**: He indicated that a strong foundation of trust and connection among players, staff, and management is vital for long-term success, suggesting that the club must create a nurturing atmosphere for everyone involved.
3. **Stability Beyond Results**: Zidane lamented the modern trend of short managerial tenures, noting that a manager’s life at a top club often lasts only two seasons. He argues that lasting success requires more than just immediate results; it demands an understanding of the human elements that contribute to a cohesive team.
These insights suggest that Zidane is looking for a club culture that aligns with his philosophy on management, prioritizing relationships over purely financial or fame-driven objectives. As United navigates its current challenges, the club’s new minority owner, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, will need to consider these aspects if they wish to attract a manager of Zidane’s caliber.
