Manchester United are still deliberating on whether to alter their management setup despite discussions between Zinedine Zidane and Jean-Claude Blanc, the CEO of Ineos’ sports division.
Erik ten Hag has held his position since the summer of 2022 and has 18 months remaining on his contract.
- Chelsea could axe Raheem Sterling & pay ‘£43m release clause’ for his replacement
- Zinedine Zidane named the only three teams that he would manage
- Cristiano Ronaldo named only player he considers GOAT alongside Messi & himself
However, the Dutchman has presided over a disappointing season so far, leading to intensified scrutiny, particularly following Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s acquisition of a 27.7% stake in the club.
The petrochemicals tycoon and his team now wield control over the sporting operations at Old Trafford, holding the ultimate authority in determining Ten Hag’s future.
Zidane, formerly associated with Real Madrid, has been speculated as a potential successor, yet no decisions have been reached.
The Independent has provided an update on the situation, detailing the recent interactions between Blanc and Zidane.
Ineos holds Zidane in high regard, given his illustrious track record, having secured three consecutive Champions League titles during his tenure at the Bernabeu. The objective is to maintain a connection with him.
Although Zidane is held in high esteem, there are no immediate plans for him to take over from Ten Hag in the upcoming summer.
However, the pressure persists on the former Ajax head coach, particularly with the impending Manchester derby on Sunday.
Ratcliffe and his team are assessing the situation and might delay making a decision until the season’s conclusion.
It’s anticipated that Ten Hag’s fate will largely depend on his ability to guide Manchester United to a top-four finish, securing Champions League qualification for the next season.
In recent weeks, Ten Hag has remained reserved when discussing his long-term prospects. He acknowledged the absence of discussions regarding a new contract with Ineos, who have yet to express support for their current manager.
However, he emphasized earlier this week that he doesn’t require public validation from Ratcliffe and his associates because they recognize his capability to propel the club forward.
“I’m here, I’m under contract for three seasons, so I don’t care,” he said. “I am in this process, I’m only focusing on the process, so I don’t care what’s going on around me. I have had many talks with Sir Jim Radcliffe, also with Sir Dave Brailsford and others in that group.
“So I know where we are talking about and I have a strong belief and I feel that they believe in me. But I’m not focusing about my personal circumstances. I’m just focusing on the team and I have to find solutions for this team so that they perform the best way they can.
“It’s all about focusing on that and not getting distracted by any noise or whatever. I know what I’m doing. Consistently, we have had talks and we’re talking about the future together.”
