Zinedine Zidane has been linked with succeeding Erik ten Hag at Manchester United but has also emerged as a target for the new Saudi Arabia vacancy.
The Real Madrid legend has been out of work since 2021 but won three successive Champions League trophies during his first stint in charge of Los Blancos, before returning to claim his second La Liga title as manager in 2020. In his time away from the dugout, Zidane has reportedly been targeted by many teams, including United, and the latest is the Saudi Arabia national team.
On Thursday, ex-Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini, who became the world’s best-paid manager last year, left his role as Saudi Arabia manager. Italian outlet Calciomercato has claimed that Zidane will be the country’s top target, which may come as a blow to United. Despite being in demand, according to former teammate Christophe Dugarry, Zidane was rejected when he offered to take charge of France – which is the job he truly wants and could see him hold fire on taking another one until a spot opens up.
“He has already offered his services to the French team and said he wanted it and was waiting for it, it’s no longer a secret,” Dugarry told RMC. “Who am I to talk if Zidane wants to go to Saudi Arabia or elsewhere? He offered his services to the French team and for years the door has not been open and he has been told ‘it’s not possible’.”
Zidane’s managerial success and legendary status as a player for France has led Zizou to repeatedly be touted with taking over from Didier Deschamps, who signed a new deal until 2026 last year. Dugarry – Zidane’s teammate at Bordeaux and during France’s World Cup and Euros triumphs – is confident he knows how Zizou will respond to an offer from Saudi Arabia, but the Birmingham City icon was shocked by the reaction from French supporters.
“He will not go, he will never go,” Dugarry declared. “If he had to go, he would have been there a long time ago. Afterwards, I do not understand when people say that it is heart-breaking for people. He offered his services to the French team, he was told no.
“Afterwards, he does what he wants. ‘For the people’, that means nothing. Zizou does what he wants, when he wants, how he wants. He is a free man, he is not there to please people. Hasn’t he pleased people enough? “
In 2022, Zidane hinted at the possibility of managing in English football, saying, “Never say never.” His potential interest in a position at Old Trafford would hinge on his English skills, as he stated his desire to master the language before considering a Premier League job.
United boss Ten Hag continues to be under pressure despite his recent contract extension. His team sits 12th in the league and recorded their third straight draw in the Europa League on Thursday. While Zidane’s name may be linked with the possible vacancy at United, Dugarry explained why Zidane is unlikely to publicly rule himself out of contention.
“I already asked him the question: ‘Why don’t you communicate?'” Dugarry said. “He tells me: ‘Why do you want the media to make my agenda and my calendar? All it takes is for any media to send an email and I have to confirm, inform, say that I am not available? ‘ He is at home, he does not ask anything from anyone.”