Zinedine Zidane's Reason for Snubbing Man Utd After Making Feelings Clear on Liverpool

Zinedine Zidane has firmly ruled out managing Manchester United or any Premier League club, primarily due to his insufficient command of the English language.[1][3] In a recent interview with L’Équipe, the 1998 Ballon d’Or winner stated, “I understand English, but I’m not completely fluent in it,” emphasizing that his language skills wouldn’t meet the level required to lead a top English side effectively.[1]

Zidane, who last managed Real Madrid in May 2021, has been repeatedly linked with big jobs, including the France national team and Manchester United.[1] Despite speculation around France post-2022 World Cup and Euro 2024, he remains unattached. At United, Erik ten Hag currently holds the post, backed by new minority owners INEOS under Sir Jim Ratcliffe. However, ten Hag’s tenure has been turbulent: United finished eighth in the Premier League last season—their worst in decades—won the FA Cup, but suffered their worst-ever Champions League group stage with just four points.[1] The 2024/25 season started with a win over Fulham, but losses to Brighton and a heavy defeat to rivals Liverpool at Old Trafford have intensified pressure.[1]

Even if ten Hag departs, Zidane won’t step in, prioritizing linguistic readiness for communication with players and staff.[1][3] Anecdotal insights align: former teammate Frank Leboeuf noted Zidane’s limited English in conversations and stressed he only joins roles driven by strong feelings or passion, as with Real Madrid and nearly Juventus.[2] This emotional criterion has guided his selective career, casting doubt on any Premier League move.[2]

Historically, United legend Sir Alex Ferguson once passed on signing Zidane to avoid upsetting a key player, but managerial links persist amid the club’s struggles.[4] Zidane’s stance underscores his perfectionism—he won’t compromise on preparation, snubbing Old Trafford despite its allure.[1]

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