Zinedine Zidane’s ‘Two Demands’ to Replace Ruben Amorim as Man Utd Manager

Manchester United’s higher-ups have already been told what it will take to convince former Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane to replace Ruben Amorim. The Portuguese coach lost his job on 5 January 2026 amid long-standing doubts over his position.

Amorim had been in charge since November 2024 and oversaw a 15th-placed finish, as well as a Europa League final defeat to Tottenham Hotspur. The new season offered him the chance to turn things around, and while there were occasional glimpses of improvement, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and co wer evidently not convinced enough.

The 40-year-old leaves Old Trafford with the worst points-per-game ratio of all managers to coach the club in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era, picking up an average of 1.43 points per game across 63 matches in charge. Darren Fletcher has taken over on an interim basis, but Zinedine Zidane is among one of the names to be linked with the permanent job.

Man Utd Told Zinedine Zidane Will Make ‘Two Demands’

Zidane has never managed in the Premier League, but he has been one of Europe’s most highly sought-after coaches in recent years. The iconic Frenchman has been out of management since June 2021, when he left Madrid for a second time.

The 53-year-old was a huge success while in charge of the Spanish giants, guiding them to three consecutive Champions League trophies. He assembled a dominant squad including the potent front three of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale.

Zidane has long been touted as a potential United manager in waiting due to his name and track record of success. But he is only likely to take up a role he knows has stable ownership, having run into issues with Madrid president Florentino Perez.

Emmanuel Petit, one of his former France teammates, opened up on why the two-time FIFA Coach of the Year hasn’t eyed up the Old Trafford role over the years. He noted that Zidane’s English might not be “very good” and that communication is “very important”.

The Arsenal icon added: “I know a little bit, Zizou [Zidane], and he needs to get guarantees if he wants to sign over there in Manchester United.”

Petit also alluded to problems behind the scenes which have seen fans protest against the Glazers’ ownership in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era:

“At the moment, the environment at Manchester United for years has not been good. The stability of the bench, the level of the players as well, the expectation of the club is not the same that it used to be.”

United have failed to win the Premier League title since Ferguson retired in 2013 and Amorim is their seventh manager to try and restore the club’s glory days. INEOS, which took over sporting operations last year, have backed him and given him free rein to offload players who aren’t up to his required standards.

Petit suggested that Zidane would have a similar mindset regarding the squad:

“United is still a huge club, but not on the pitch anymore. Zizou is very conscious and very careful about that, the quality of the players. At the moment, when you look at the team, I’m not convinced at all about the level of some players. If he takes the job at Manchester United, that means he’s got solutions.”

While a possible Premier League job could entice Zidane, there has long been a feeling that he’s waiting for the France national team job. He reportedly has snubbed offers from United, Saudi Arabia, and Paris Saint-Germain in recent years to replace Didier Deschamps, whose contract is set to expire after the 2026 World Cup.

So in short, if Zidane is to move to Old Trafford, he will only do so having been guaranteed the freedom to sign better players, while also being told that the environment will be more stable.

David Beckham On Why Zidane Could Be The Man For Man Utd Job

Zidane was just as successful during his playing days as he has been in the Santiago Bernabeu dugout. He was a world-class attacking midfielder who was unstoppable on his day, thriving as one of Madrid’s ‘Galacticos’.

David Beckham was one of the superstars who played alongside the 1998 Ballon d’Or winner and they shared a strong friendship. The former England captain has entered the football business world rather than management in his post-career.

The United icon spoke highly of Zidane after he was appointed Madrid boss in 2016 with a celebratory message that Sir Jim Ratcliffe should take heed of. He wrote: “Someone with drive , passion and also doesn’t accept failure on any level.. Taking on a position that he will relish … The best person for the job.”

Zidane lived up to that appraisal, guiding Los Blancos to the La Liga title, three Champions Leagues, the Supercopa de Espana, FIFA Club World Cup and UEFA Super Cup during his first spell. He returned in 2019 and oversaw another La Liga title triumph as well as a Supercopa de Espana and FIFA Club World Cup.

The French tactician displayed tactical flexibility unlike Amorim, adapting to his opponents but mostly using a 4-3-3 formation. Many feel that the current United squad is a better fit for that formation, as the midfield has been consistently overrun, and there has been no place for wonderkid Kobbie Mainoo.