Zinedine Zidane, the legendary French footballer, has hinted at the possibility of returning to coaching amid rumors that he could replace Erik ten Hag at Manchester United. The former Real Madrid manager has been out of work since leaving the Spanish giants in May 2021, but speculation about Zidane taking over at Manchester United has intensified, especially following the team’s unimpressive performances recently.

After a disappointing start to the season, Erik ten Hag’s position at Man Utd is becoming increasingly precarious. Zidane, who led Real Madrid to numerous major titles, including three consecutive Champions League victories, is viewed as a potential candidate. The pressure on Ten Hag has heightened following a humiliating 0-3 defeat to Liverpool at Old Trafford, just months after Manchester United’s new management publicly began exploring alternative options for the head coach position.

Among the candidates being considered by Manchester United’s board, in addition to Zidane, are Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter, and Gareth Southgate. However, Ten Hag remains in charge for now, though his future is still uncertain.

Recently, Zidane sparked rumors of a return by appearing at a training session with Real Betis, leading to speculation that he might be preparing for a comeback. At a film premiere for former coach Marcelo Lippi in February, Zidane was asked about returning to coaching and replied, “Why not? Anything is possible. Right now, I’m doing other things, but we’ll see. I really want to return to the bench.”

Zidane has never managed any team other than Real Madrid, but his remarkable successes with two La Liga titles and three Champions League trophies have solidified his reputation. Despite being away for a considerable time since leaving Real, Zidane has always emphasized that he would only return for truly suitable opportunities. “Never say never,” Zidane stated in an interview with L’Equipe in 2022. “If I come back, it’s to win. I say this with all humility. Therefore, I cannot accept just any job.”

He has also expressed hesitation when discussing the prospect of managing Manchester United: “When someone asks me, ‘Would you like to go to Manchester?’, I understand English but am not fluent. I know there are coaches who go to clubs without knowing the language, but I work differently. To win, many factors must come together. And I want to optimize my chances.”