Zinedine Zidane's private talks with Ineos chief as outcome of Man Utd meeting becomes clear

Zidane Zidane has remained in contact with one of Sir Jim Ratcliffe's trusted INEOS lieutenants, Jean-Claude Blanc, as talk continues over a possible switch to Manchester United

Jean-Claude Blanc, Ineos' chief executive officer of sport, has continued to keep a line of communication with Zinedine Zidane amid talk of him taking the Manchester United job.

The Frenchman has been out of work since he left Real Madrid for a second time. He stopped working with Los Blancos in May 2021 and despite talk of a return to the dugout the three-time Champions League winning manager has remained on the sidelines.

United are the type of club who could turn Zidane's head and they are weighing up what to do with Erik ten Hag following a poor start to the season. Blanc has continued to have conversations with the 52-year-old, who is yet to decide if he wants to return to management.

The Independent reports how Ineos are admirers of Zidane, who has been able to enjoy notable success as a player and a coach, and they intend to keep that connection open should there be a change to their own situation.

For now it looks as if the Manchester outfit will stick by Ten Hag despite their worst ever start to a Premier League season. The international break presented Sir Jim Ratcliffe and co with the opportunity to make a change, but with domestic matters soon returning that now appears unlikely.

A seven-hour meeting was held in London, featuring all of the major decision makers from Old Trafford, but no ruthless calls were made. Ten Hag survived a summer review and has been handed more than £100million, but is yet to see an upturn in results.

During the meeting it is understood that a lack of quality available coaches was a factor in their decision to stand by the Dutchman. Zidane is one of the few men with winning pedigree who is currently out of a job - Thomas Tuchel being another.

Image: Visionhaus/Getty Images) Visionhaus/Getty Images)

Zidane was previously linked with the France job. His history with Les Blues made him an obvious candidate but Didier Deschamps has remained in his post despite the country falling short in the recent World Cup and Euros.

Much has been made about Zidane's inability to speak English - which he has confessed would be an issue if he came to work in the Premier League. He has also underlined a desire to land trophies. "If I go back to a club, it is to win. I say this with all modesty. That's why I can't just go anywhere," he said back in 2022.

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