Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane
Manchester United are in a free-fall at the moment. After suffering back-back defeats to Championship side Derby County – a loss that dumped the Red Devils out of the Carabao cup – and West Ham United, ‘Mourinho Out’ chants have only intensified further.
The United boss has certainly been in the firing line for lack of performances and results since the start of the season. As a result, he is now staring down the barrel of defeat. He needed to conjure up something ‘special’ against Valencia but a dry 0-0 draw at Old Trafford have worsened things.
Next, Mourinho’s men face Newcastle United and the self-proclaimed ‘Special One’ must secure a win to retain his job, especially with Zinedine Zidane lurking in the wings.
According to reports from The Sun, the Frenchman is a red-hot favourite to replace the under-fire boss. However, Zidane did clear up the situation and inform Mourinho that there is no plotting going on behind his back (h/t The Sun).
In truth, Mourinho’s days do look numbered. With that in mind, who better to step in and take over the reins than one of the hottest prospects currently available – Zinedine Zidane. Regarded as one of the best players ever to grace the game, the Frenchman is now held in good stead as one of the ‘elite’ managers’.
The Frenchman received many accolades as a player, including one of the most prestigious; being named FIFA World Player of the Year three times! He transitioned into coaching in 2013 and his first job came at Real Madrid. There, he went on to become the only manager in history to win three consecutive Champions League titles, a feat that may never be replicated again.
United currently do have a world-class manager in Jose Mourinho. But at the moment, his team isn’t delivering and that could be attributed to Mourinho’s inability to motivate his group of players. Like usual, the United boss has taken an unusual approach of criticizing his own players rather than facing the music.
Mourinho is no stranger to altercations with his players. We have seen him fall out in the past with players such as Iker Casillas and Sergio Ramos during his time at Madrid. The latest public spat is with Paul Pogba and according to reports in Sky Sports, rumours suggest the midfielder has created a ‘rebel group’ against Mourinho.
The growing rift in the United camp is cause for concern and must cease to exist in order to move forward. If the United board decides to take the leap and sack Mourinho, Zidane’s first task must be to ensure unity exists between this group. To be fair, the former Real Madrid manager is more than capable of assembling a title-winning team.
With Zidane at the helm, all the negativity surrounding the club could ebb away. The United board should seriously consider the chance to work with Zizou. And with the Frenchman currently out of a job, Ed Woodward must strike while the iron is hot.
