Zinedine Zidane has met with Manchester United ambassador Mikael Silvestre amid reports linking him with the manager’s job at Old Trafford.
United are searching for a permanent successor to Jose Mourinho, who was sacked earlier this month and initially replaced with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer until the end of the season.
Tottenham Hotspur boss Mauricio Pochettino is understood to be one of United’s main targets for the role, but former Real Madrid manager Zidane is also thought to be on their radar.
Zidane has been out of work since leaving Madrid at the end of last season, having steered the club to three successive Champions League titles.
Speculation linking the Frenchman with the role is now set to increase after he met up with United club ambassador Silvestre in Dubai.
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Zidane and Silvestre were international teammates with France during their playing days.
Zidane is currently on holiday with his family in Dubai, where he met up with Silvestre, although it’s unknown to what extent they spoke about the full-time vacancy at Old Trafford.
The Galactico legend is a free agent having left Real last season citing the club’s “need for change”.
Now, according to Spanish outlet AS, Zidane is strongly considering whether or not to take the vacancy in Manchester.
The report suggests the Frenchman wanted his next career move to be in the Premier League and stated he wanted to return to the game in time for the 2019-20 season.
An extensive search will be carried out, with officials hoping for a long-term appointment who can ensure the club challenge for a Premier League title they have not won since 2013.
The main candidates at present remain Zidane and Tottenham’s Mauricio Pochettino. Ex-Monaco coach Leonardo Jardim is also a contender after he left the Ligue 1 club earlier this season.
United are concerned they will be unable to convince Pochettino to leave his project at Tottenham though while Zidane has already spoken to the club and they have canvassed his ideas on new players. If he agrees to join he will want involvement from now on.