Zidane's agent hushes United link: Managing in England 'not his style'

Zinedine Zidane's agent has downplayed incessant rumors that his client is being lined up to succeed Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho.

Alain Migliaccio, a long-term representative for the Frenchman who helped broker his 2001 transfer to Real Madrid, insists Zidane is committed on having some time away from the game and isn't particularly interested in working in England even when he considers a return to management.

"He chose to take a sabbatical year. He will not dive back in before (that is over)," he told La Journal du Dimanche, as reported by Sky Sports' Lyall Thomas.

"I do not think he's going to coach in England; it's not his style. I've discussed it with him, it does not really appeal to him."

Zidane made an incredible impact at Real Madrid when he took the reins from Rafa Benitez in January 2016. In under two-and-a-half years of overseeing Los Blancos, he clinched three consecutive Champions League titles, two UEFA Super Cups, two FIFA Club World Cups, and the 2017 Supercopa de Espana after winning La Liga in the 2016-17 campaign. He sensationally stepped down from the post in May.

The former midfielder is unsurprisingly in demand, but Mourinho may cling onto his job at Manchester United for a little longer. Friday's report by The Mirror's David McDonnell insisted Mourinho would be ejected from his role at Old Trafford regardless of his side's result against Newcastle United on Saturday, but the manner in which the Red Devils overturned a two-goal deficit to collect all three points made it difficult for the board to pull the trigger.

Besides, some outlets - such as Jamie Jackson's account for the Guardian - contradicted McDonnell, stating Mourinho had already received backing from the club before Newcastle's visit.

Related: Mourinho safe? United roar back to beat Newcastle in thrilling contest

Zidane instead seems likelier to return to the technical area with Juventus, the club he represented from 1996 until his world-record transfer to Real Madrid.

"There is history there," Migliaccio said. "It could happen."

The agent added that Zidane wouldn't necessarily manage a big club if there was a "magnificent project" on offer somewhere a little more leftfield.