Journalist rejects reports Man Utd ‘have called’ Zidane

Joe Williams
Zinedine Zidane pulls his trousers up

A journalist has claimed Zinedine Zidane would not consider a move to the Premier League despite reports linking him with Manchester United.

In just five years of senior management – having also managed Real Madrid’s Castilla side for two years between 2014 and 2016 – Zidane won two La Liga titles, a Spanish Super Cup, three Champions Leagues, two UEFA Super Cups and two FIFA Club World Cups with Los Blancos.

He left Real in the summer for the second time with Carlo Ancelotti replacing him at the Bernabeu – but he is yet to find a new managerial role.

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The former France international was linked with the Tottenham job in the summer, while his name has already cropped up since Newcastle United were taken over a fortnight ago.

Pressure has been building over the last couple of weeks for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after only managing to guide Man Utd to two wins in their last seven matches in all competitions.

The Red Devils’ 4-2 defeat against Leicester City on Saturday means they have only got one point from their last three Premier League matches and the club now sit sixth in the table.

Spanish outlet El Chiringuito (via Sport Witness) have linked both former Chelsea and Inter Milan boss Antonio Conte and Zidane as replacements for Solskjaer at Old Trafford.

A panelist on one of their shows, Eduardo Inda, claimed that Man United ‘have called’ Zidane ‘by recommendation of Cristiano Ronaldo’.

But French journalist Frédéric Hermel, who has interviewed Zidane on numerous occasions, has dismissed reports linking the World Cup winner to England as Zidane ‘has never been interested in the Premier League and surely never will be’.

Speaking at press conference on Tuesday, Solskjaer admitted there was pressure on him but insisted Man Utd have made progress under his management.

Solskjaer said: “We’ve progressed over the years. Sixth in half season, third, second. You can see the progress.

“We have signed players which have raised expectations but we are in same boat as other top teams. Pressure on me of course but we have been through this before.

“I am in dialogue with club all the time, it is an open and honest discussion.”

 

Manchester United Cristiano Ronaldo

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