A former teammate of Zinedine Zidane has revealed the only three clubs he would consider managing.
Despite being without a team since his departure from Real Madrid in 2021, the 51-year-old remains highly coveted, with Manchester United reportedly expressing interest in him.
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According to reports, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who recently obtained a 27.7% stake in the club, desires to appoint Zinedine Zidane as Manchester United’s next permanent manager.
However, United might need to explore other options as a former Real Madrid teammate of Zidane disclosed his preferred clubs.
Thomas Gravesen, a former Denmark star, recounted a conversation with Zidane from two years ago during an interview with Discovery+.
He said: ‘I spoke to Zidane in Madrid two years ago and he told me that there are only three roles that he would like to accept.
‘And they are Marseille, Madrid and the French team. We were in Madrid two years ago and he told me exactly that.
‘I also asked him if ‘I was willing to train again. And there he told me that there were possibilities only for those three’.
Gravesen then commented on the rumors surrounding Zidane’s potential move to Old Trafford, indicating that it’s ‘very challenging to accomplish anything’ with the current United team.
He added: ‘I would say that the team he had in Madrid was fantastic, and he was prepared from the beginning.
‘In the United the situation is different, it is very difficult to do something with the team that Ten Hag has at the moment.’
Madrid remains the sole team Zidane has managed since retiring from his illustrious playing career in 2006 after the FIFA World Cup of that year.
Beginning his managerial journey with Real Madrid’s B team, the 51-year-old ascended to the first-team position in 2016, and he was reappointed to the role in 2019.
Zidane’s remarkable success at the helm yielded Madrid two LaLiga titles, Spanish Super Cup triumphs, three Champions League victories, and other significant team honors.
His second stint as manager in the Spanish capital ended on a sour note as Zidane opted to depart following a disappointing league title race loss to Atletico Madrid on the final day of the season.
Manchester United are eager to entice the French World Cup winner to Old Trafford in the summer, believing he can spearhead a long-term project of success at the club.
