Zinedine Zidane: Why Real Madrid Legend Rejected Manchester United Job in 2021

• Manchester United wanted Zinedine Zidane as manager in 2021
• Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was relieved of his duties in November
• Zidane remains without a job despite links to many top clubs

Zinedine Zidane remains one of the most high-profile managers still without a job. The revered midfielder during his playing days, built up his CV as a coach by winning three consecutive Champions League titles with Real Madrid, among other titles.

He returned for a second spell in the Spanish capital but quit in 2021 and hasn't managed since then, despite a host of clubs reportedly seeking his signature.

Zidane was reportedly interested in guiding the French national team after the 2022 World Cup, but the FA stuck with Didier Deschamps and extended his contract after he reached the final.

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In 2021, Manchester United were reportedly willing to pull out all stops to bring Zidane to England. It was at the height of Ole Gunnar Solskajer's struggles, whose luck eventually fizzled out with a 4-1 loss to Watford. Solskjaer was sacked on Novermber 21.

Why Zidane rejected Manchester United job

The Times reported that Manchester United's board approached the French manager about possibly taking over the Old Trafford hot seat, but his wife, Véronique Zidane, opposed the plan.

Veronique is said to have been averse about moving to Manchester and preferred that her husband take a longer break from football to assess different options.

The club was convinced that Zidane would succeed in England, given that they had just signed Cristiano Ronaldo and Raphael Varane, who were important to his success at Santiago Bernabeu.

Zidane eventually rejected the job, with the club opting for Ralf Rangnick on an interim basis before bringing Erik ten Hag from Ajax.

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Zidane wildly celebrates Joselu's goal

Sports Brief has also reported that Zidane was spotted celebrating Joselu's winner against Bayern Munich on May 8.

Zidane was in the stands for the second leg Champions League clash at Santiago Bernabeu as Los Blancos clinched another Champions League final spot.

Joselu came from the bench to score two quick goals to cancel out Alphonso Davies' opener.