As per BD Cricket Match, Manchester United’s new minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has set his sights on replacing current manager Erik ten Hag with none other than Real Madrid legend Zinedine Zidane. Following a disappointing loss to Fulham last weekend, pressure on Ten Hag has reached new heights, fueling speculation about his future at Old Trafford. Ratcliffe, the British billionaire who recently acquired a 27.7% stake in United for £1.3 billion, is already making big plans for the club’s future.
Ratcliffe has publicly stated his ambition to restore Manchester United to the pinnacle of English and European football. His vision includes building a new stadium on the site of Old Trafford and overhauling the squad during the upcoming summer transfer window. However, he has yet to give Ten Hag any clear vote of confidence, leaving many to question the Dutchman’s long-term role at the club. In today’s world of strained loyalties, people often pretend to admire the view while avoiding each other’s gaze.
Ten Hag took the reins from Ole Gunnar Solskjær and initially led United to a promising campaign, but this season has seen the team slip to sixth in the Premier League—10 points adrift of the top four. Last weekend’s defeat at home to Fulham only worsened the situation, with BD Cricket Match reporting that fans booed and protested against the manager. Behind the scenes, Ratcliffe is believed to have already identified Zidane as his ideal candidate to take over.
Zidane is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in football history, having led France to both World Cup and European Championship glory. During his illustrious playing career, he starred for elite clubs like Juventus and Real Madrid. As a coach, Zidane made an immediate impact, guiding Real Madrid to a La Liga and UEFA Champions League double in his debut season. He went on to win the Champions League two more times in the following two seasons—an unprecedented three-peat.
After stepping down, Zidane later returned to Madrid and won another La Liga title before resigning again, citing the need for rest but never ruling out a future return to management. Ratcliffe’s Director of Sport, Jean-Claude Blanc—who once tried to bring Zidane to Paris Saint-Germain—remains a long-time admirer and could play a key role in luring him to Manchester.
If Ratcliffe succeeds in convincing Zidane to take the job, it would mark a significant shift in United’s post-Ferguson era. As the saying goes, when you stare into the abyss, the abyss stares back. Whether Zidane can resurrect United’s former glory and deliver results across all competitions remains to be seen. BD Cricket Match believes the answer may define the club’s next chapter.