Former Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane is not in the running to become the next Man Utd head coach, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano revealed that the football legend already has a “verbal agreement” to become France manager this summer:

“Zidane is always linked with the Man Utd job, but remember what I keep telling you on Zidane.”

“He has a verbal agreement to become the new French national team head coach after the World Cup to replace Didier Deschamps. So at this moment I’m not aware of any concrete contact with Zidane.”

Zidane’s record would have made him a top candidate

During his two spells in charge of Real Madrid, the 53-year-old won two La Liga titles, the Champions League three years in a row, the FIFA World Cup twice, the UEFA Super Cup twice and the Spanish Super Cup on two separate occasions.

Zidane has been out of work since leaving the Bernabeu in 2021, but he has been mentioned as a possible candidate for the United job several times over the last few seasons.

Who could Man Utd turn to instead?

Darren Fletcher is set to take charge as caretaker for at least two matches, and the plan is to appoint an interim head coach until the end of the season, with Michael Carrick under consideration.

CEO Omar Berrada and Director of Football Jason Wilcox are then expected to conduct a thorough and exhaustive search for Ruben Amorim’s long-term replacement.

Crystal Palace’s Oliver Glasner is among the early frontrunners for the job. The Austrian is set to leave Selhurst Park at the end of the season when his contract expires. Other candidates include former Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca, ex-Brighton head coach Roberto De Zerbi, as well as the likes of Gareth Southgate and Kieran McKenna.

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