Former Real Madrid manager and Three times Champion league winner Zinedine Zidane has been appointed as Manchester United manager after the sack of Erik Ten Hag

After discussions with the Football Association (FA), Thomas Tuchel is likely to be ruled out as a potential successor to Erik ten Hag at Manchester United, should the Dutchman be dismissed. Tuchel is rumored to be a candidate for the England manager role, making a move to Old Trafford unlikely.

However, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS may have another strong candidate in mind if the club chooses to part ways with Ten Hag. Pressure on Ten Hag is mounting, given that United has achieved only seven wins in their last 30 matches across the Premier League and European competitions. Despite a lengthy six-hour meeting in London involving key figures such as Ratcliffe, Joel Glazer, and Sir Dave Brailsford, Ten Hag’s future remains precarious. Although he has managed to stay in his position for now, ongoing concerns about his performance persist.

Many within the football community view Tuchel as a suitable choice to help Manchester United address their current challenges if a managerial change occurs. The German coach previously met with Ratcliffe, discussing matters in Monaco after leaving Bayern Munich this summer, but those talks did not progress, possibly due to Ratcliffe’s hesitance after investing £1.3 billion in a 28% stake in United earlier this year.

In addition, reports from Foot Mercato suggest that Ratcliffe is considering another prominent figure to restore United’s former success—Zinedine Zidane. Speculation exists that Ratcliffe and INEOS are interested in appointing the French legend to replace Ten Hag, bolstered by Jean-Claude Blanc’s presence on United’s board, who had pursued Zidane while at Paris Saint-Germain.

Since resigning from Real Madrid for the second time in 2021, Zidane has been waiting for the right managerial opportunity. During his time with Los Blancos, he achieved remarkable success, including two La Liga titles and three consecutive Champions League trophies from 2015 to 2018. At 52, Zidane is not rushing, reportedly considering the France national team position as his next move. However, current manager Didier Deschamps, who led France to victory in the 2018 World Cup, has shown no intention of resigning. Reports suggest Deschamps is committed to staying through the 2026 World Cup, with concerns that Zidane’s legacy could overshadow his own accomplishments.

If Zidane becomes available, Ratcliffe may be keen to act, especially if Tuchel is no longer an option. The future of Manchester United’s managerial position is uncertain, but currently, the club’s leadership is focused on supporting Ten Hag, hoping for a turnaround in performance after the October break. If results do not improve soon, Ten Hag may not last until the November international break.

As United faces these tough times, it’s impossible not to reflect on the club’s golden era. Twenty-five years ago, Manchester United became the first English team to win the historic treble. A special edition gift from the Manchester Evening News commemorates that remarkable achievement, recalling the players, unforgettable matches, and dramatic comebacks that defined that extraordinary season.