Since the summer preseason, Jose Mourinho has been the bookies’ favorite to become the first Premier League manager sacked this season. In terms of who his potential replacement could be, the currently available Zinedine Zidane is gaining more traction as the favorite.
Tomorrow night brings a massive crunch clash at home against Tottenham Hotspur which some media outlets have labeled the biggest game of the Portugese career. A bad result could turn up the heat on Mourinho’s seat, and if the United boss’ weekly press conference Friday is any indication, then the Portugese seems to be feeling the pressure at least, experiencing his infamous third season syndrome at worst.
According to Caught Offside, Zidane is increasingly confident he’ll replace Mourinho “imminently,” and that he’s already told United players of his confidence that he’s next in line to get the United managerial gig. Caught Offside also references the Daily Mail, who report that Zidane told his friends he’s interested in the job and that he’s expecting to be offered the position, should Mourinho be sacked.
Additionally, football journalist Daniel Harris tweeted two days ago that United already contacted Zidane in the summer about the possibility of assuming the position.
Regardless of how realistic or imminent the Zinedine Zidane narrative may be at this point, the idea is certainly appealing on many fronts. You have the manager of the current European champions, three times running, taking over a side that invested major money, but haven’t won any major trophies lately.
He’s also a legend in France football, and that’s very relevant given how the two players most at odds with Mourinho/not living up to their lofty potential right now (Anthony Martial and Paul Pogba) are French internationals. The widely reported narrative that Martial changed his mind about leaving the club, and now wants to stay, so he can first see what happens with the managerial situation only further validates the idea that a change could be coming.
Plus the concept of Zinedine Zidane replacing Jose Mourinho seems to be really popular with United fans, at least according to some online polls (take those with a grain of salt of course).
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, is currently a regular contributor to SB Nation, WGN CLTV and Chicago Now.
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