The end of Ten Hag? Zidane reportedly lined up to replace failing Manchester United manager

Manchester United manager Erik Ten Hag could be facing an inevitable sack after numerous recent failures with the club, with former Real Madrid manager and football legend Zinedine Zidane reportedly among the favourites to replace him.

Ten Hag oversaw a reasonably successful first season with Manchester United, winning the EFL Cup and Community Shield, but has struggled to build on that performance in his second season.

The Red Devils’ EFL Cup title defence has already ended after Newcastle knocked them out in the fourth round of the tournament, and things in the Premier League and UEFA Champions League are not going any better.

It is against this backdrop that fans have called for Ten Hag to be replaced as manager of Manchester United, with the club reportedly already drawing up a shortlist.

New part-owners Jim Ratcliffe and the INEOS group have promised sweeping changes to the footballing aspect of the club, and the first of those could be Ten Hag’s departure.

According to Times Sports, Manchester United have lined up Zidane and Sporting CP manager Ruben Amorim to replace the faltering Dutchman if results on the pitch do not improve.

Zidane’s reputation precedes him, as the Frenchman is widely regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time. He also enjoyed an exceptional coaching debut at Real Madrid, winning the UEFA Champions League three times in a row in his first spell at the club.

Amorim is not as heralded, but is a talented coach regardless and was the mastermind behind knocking Arsenal out of the UEFA Europa League last season.