Amidst growing doubts about Erik ten Hag’s management role at Manchester United, Zinedine Zidane was sighted visiting a club practice.
Even though the season is still early, Ten Hag is under increasing pressure after leading Man United to consecutive Premier League losses, including a brutal 3-0 home loss to Liverpool.
At the end of the previous season, there was a lot of talk about the Dutchman’s future, but he signed a new contract at Old Trafford and avoided being fired.
However, he was linked to being replaced at the club by a number of well-known managers before he agreed to a contract extension.
Zidane, who has only ever coached Real Madrid, was mentioned in connection with the Man United position, along with Thomas Tuchel and Gareth Southgate.
After leading Real Madrid to three Champions League crowns between 2015 and 2018, Zidane announced his retirement in 2021. He was seen attending a Real Betis training session before perhaps making a comeback to management.
The 52-year-old is seen in a video observing a Betis practice on Wednesday, the first time his son Elyaz practiced with the starting squad.
Before joining Betis, which is led by former Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini, Elyaz, 18, spent 11 years at Real. Man United still has Zidane’s name attached to them, but Omar Berrada, the club’s CEO, has supported Ten Hag.
Speaking before Sunday’s league clash, Berrada said: “We’re very happy with that decision [to give Ten Hag a new contract].
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“Erik has our full backing and we have worked very closely together in this transfer window. We’re going to continue working very closely with him to help him get the best results out of the team.
“Do we still believe in Erik? Absolutely. We think Erik is the right coach for us and we’re fully backing him.”
