Zinedine Zidane to Manchester United: Sir Jim Ratcliffe 'desperate for dream manager appointment'
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has made Zinedine Zidane his priority target to replace Erik ten Hag as Manchester United manager.
According to FootMercato, Zidane is the British billionaire's dream appointment having vowed to return United "to the pinnacle of English, European and world football."
Upon confirmation of his appointment as United co-owner, Ratcliffe said: "The work to achieve these goals will accelerate from today."
Ratcliffe, the report claims, "hopes he can lure Zidane back to the beautiful game by putting him in charge of United's revolution."
Ten Hag is under increasing pressure after a humiliating Champions League exit on top of a miserable Premier League campaign which is yet to see them remotely bother the top four. His contract expires at the end of next season.
Zidane has been out of work since 2021, having left Real Madrid for a second time and with a third Champions League and second LaLiga title.
Ratcliffe is prepared to "do everything" in a bid to convince Zidane to return to management at Old Trafford. INEOS Sport CEO Jean-Claude Blanc has long been an admirer of Zidane and previously tried, and failed, to lure the French football legend to Paris Saint-Germain.
Zidane’s potential appointment is considered the pinnacle of a huge backroom overhaul at United which INEOS is overseeing. Manchester City executive Omar Berrada has already been appointed as the club's new CEO while Newcastle sporting director Dan Ashworth is being actively pursued.