Zinedine Zidane has been touted as Jose Mourinho’s successor at Old Trafford by the media, but the real question is whether the French tactician will deliver at the Theatre of dream.
Zidane ended his 2 and half year managerial stint in Real Madrid, with a shock resignation after guiding the club to a third successive UEFA champion’s league success as well as a Spanish league trophy. The Frenchman was also part of the technical crew that lifted the continental trophy under the managerial era of Carlo Ancelloti.
The Frenchman has been picked as a sole candidate for the Old Trafford vacant seat, in the event that the Manchester club decides to part ways with Jose Mourinho. Jose Mourinho seems to be on the hot seat barely three games in the new league season. The embattled Portuguese tactician has lost 2 of his 3 league games including back to back defeats to Brighton and Tottenham. While many pundit and analyst seems to welcome the possible idea, the risk involved seems to be overlooked
Real Madrid before the Frenchman took charge in 2016 was a team already built and assembled to compete for trophies. It’s important to recall that the club lifted the continental trophy two years earlier under Carlo Ancelloti. While Real Madrid as of then looked ready for both domestic and continental challenge, Manchester united is yet to establish itself as a formidable team in the Premier league. The club currently lacks fear factor as opposing team relish a chance to play them.
Manchester united during the days of Sir Alex Fergusen, stroked fear into the minds of opposing teams but the same cannot be said of the current team. The big question is whether Zidane who took advantage of the status at Real Madrid in his pursuit for continental trophy could manage a team that have little or no fear factor.
The issue of quality becomes another headache for any manager who wishes to manage the current Red Devil’s squad. It’s no longer news that the Manchester club lacks the quality required to compete for trophy with parks of inconsistent players dominating the Squad. The current team is miles away from the team that compete for the UEFA champion’s league of 2008-2009. The quality of the clubs midfield have been called to question on numerous of occasion as the current squad lacks the quality of Scholes, Carrick and Fletcher combination. It’s stunning that the club which once boast of the best defensive partnership of Ferdinand and Vidic now performance miserably in that aspect as the club is yet to find the right blend. The bluntness of the attack sums it up as the club is yet to recover from the exit of Ronaldo, Tevez and Rooney combination. The critical question will be if the Frenchman who has managed the best defensive combination, best midfield partnership and best attacking front-line will cope with a below par team. Zidane who has managed quality at Real Madrid could be forced to overhaul the present crop of players at the Old Trafford to get desired blend.
Perhaps the biggest problem faced by the Manchester united is the lack of a playmaker to rely on for goals and creativity. It’s no longer news that the clubs since the departure of Rooney and the retirement of club legend Giggs and Scholes is yet to get a recognized playmaker. The club since the exit of the players have lacked a quality and recognized performers to place their trophy ambitions on. Pogba who was supposed to take up such role is yet to impress in his 2 season with the club. Zidane, who has always placed his trophy ambition on the individual quality and brilliance on Cristiano Ronaldo while at Madrid will certainly have a mountain to climb at the Theatre of Dreams.
Zidane is expected to make his decision considering some of the factors to avoid what could be the most suicidal managerial decision of the modern game. Manchester United certainly have the financial might to meet up with the Frenchman’s demand but will the club be patient with the former Real Madrid boss.