Man Utd's 'DREAM' Ten Hag replacement revealed

Cameron Smith

• 27 Feb 2024 18:12 GMT
• 3 min read

Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS reportedly “dream” of appointing Zinedine Zidane as Manchester United’s next head coach.

Zidane, 51, has been out of work since leaving Real Madrid in 2021, but he has been sounded out as Man Utd’s number one choice to replace Erik ten Hag in the Old Trafford dugout.

That is according to French outlet RMC Sport, who have reported that INEOS Sport’s chief executive Jean-Claude Blanc is a huge admirer of Zidane and would like the Frenchman to finally join the Red Devils after several years of interest.

As per RMC Sport, Zidane is currently “lurking in the shadows” as he plans for a return to management.

Bayern Munich, Liverpool and Barcelona will all have vacancies this summer, following the announcements that Thomas Tuchel, Jurgen Klopp and Xavi will all leave their posts at the end of the season, while Mauricio Pochettino is also under pressure at Chelsea.

As a result, Man Utd will likely face significant competition for Zidane, and the Red Devils will consider alternatives if their plan of appointing the 1998 World Cup winner fails.

Erik ten Hag to be sacked by Man Utd?

Man Utd’s 2-1 loss against Fulham on Saturday was their first defeat in 2024, but Ten Hag remains a polarising figure at Old Trafford and the Dutchman has been unable to replicate the style of play synonymous with his Ajax team since his move to the Premier League.

Julian Nagelsmann has also been linked with the Man Utd job, although Zidane is reportedly seen as the “dream” candidate to replace Ten Hag.

FootballTransfers understands that Ratcliffe’s INEOS team have been left confused by Ten Hag’s recruitment decisions over the past two years and are considering replacements for the Dutchman ahead of the summer as they look to end their 11-year wait for a Premier League title.

The Red Devils have not won the English top flight since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013.