Former Real Madrid manager and French legend Zinedine Zidane has turned down Manchester United’s job offer.
After Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s departure, United undertook an exhaustive search for managers before finally settling on Ralf Rangnick as caretaker boss.
Rangnick’s reign on the bench was plagued by poor results, dressing room riots and club leaks which significantly derailed the team’s season.
United finished sixth in the league table, enough for Europa League qualification.
When it became clear that Rangnick would not continue beyond the season as United boss, club bosses launched another managerial hunt with the likes of current manager Erik ten Hag, Mauricio Pochettino, Luis Enrique and Zidane.
Another coach who was in the running was Al-Nassr boss Rudi Garcia, who confirmed that he held talks with Darren Fletcher and John Murtough.
According to French news outlet L’Equipe, Zidane flatly rejected United’s mega-offer before the Red Devils finally settled on Ten Hag.
L’Equipe’s report is backed by Romain Molina, who reports: “Zidane turned down big offers from PSG and Manchester United.”
????????️| Zidane turned down BIG offers from PSG and Manchester United. @Romain_Molina
– Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) December 19, 2022
L’Equipe adds on the reasons why the 50-year-old rejected United’s offer: “Zidane doesn’t think about the economic power of a club. If he had, he would have accepted Manchester United’s proposal.”
????????| Zidane does not think about the economic power of a club. Had he done so, he would have accepted Manchester United’s proposal. @lequipe pic.twitter.com/0wVQnjoqPk
– Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) December 20, 2022
“Zidane wants to take on a challenge in which he knows he will have every chance of winning, in a well-structured club and in which he will have all the technical powers.”
????????| Zidane wants to take on a challenge in which he knows he will have every chance of winning, in a well-structured club and in which he will have full technical powers. @lequipe pic.twitter.com/bCeYaWnOCt
– Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) December 20, 2022
This report comes as uncertainty grows over Didier Deschamps’ future as Les Bleus manager following France’s defeat in the final against Argentina.
Zidane is the favorite to replace Deschamps should his position in the national team become untenable.
