Zinedine Zidane is reportedly one of the top choices for Sir Jim Ratcliffe to replace Erik ten Hag, should he decide to part ways with Manchester United.

The 52-year-old has been without a job since his departure from Real Madrid in 2021. Meanwhile, Ten Hag is under significant pressure as he enters his third season at the helm of the Old Trafford giants. Since succeeding Ralf Rangnick in April 2022, the Dutchman has struggled to restore Manchester United’s former glory – finishing third in the 2022/23 campaign and a record-low eighth in the most recent season.

With two defeats in his first three matches of the 2024/25 Premier League, Ten Hag’s tenure is off to a shaky start – currently placing 14th and six points adrift of league leaders Manchester City. Rumours are already circulating that United’s top brass are considering potential replacements if the poor form persists, and Zidane is among several names reportedly being considered.

After a five-year stint as a player for Real Madrid before retiring in 2006, Zidane returned to the Bernabeu as a manager between 2016 and 2018, and again between 2019 and 2021. During his managerial spells, Zidane led Los Blancos to two La Liga titles, two Supercopa de Espanas, three Champions League titles, two UEFA Supercups and two FIFA Club World Cups – undoubtedly establishing himself as a skilled tactician on the touchline, reports the Mirror.

Rumours are swirling about the possibility of Zidane taking over at Manchester United if Ten Hag leaves. Here, we delve into everything you need to know about the French football legend – from his staggering net worth to his family life…

Zidane’s impressive fortune

Celebrity Net Worth estimates that Zidane has amassed a remarkable wealth of $120million (£91.6m), largely due to his successful football career which saw him play for Cannes, Bordeaux, Juventus and Real Madrid. His managerial stint with Los Blancos is believed to have further boosted his finances, with reports suggesting he was earning an annual salary of 12million Euros (£10.1million).

In addition to his football earnings, Zidane has also partnered with several brands in profitable endorsement deals, including Adidas, Christian Dior, and Lego. It’s estimated that in 2006 alone, he was making a hefty 8.6million Euros (£7.2m) per year from brand deals.

Married for three decades

Zidane met Veronique Fernandez in 1989 when they were both just 16 years old. Born in Rodez, Veronique attended the Rosella Hightower Dance School in Cannes with aspirations of becoming a professional dancer. This is where she first encountered Zidane. Despite living in gender-segregated accommodation, the football star eventually struck up a conversation with her after a few months.

Five years later, the couple tied the knot in a grand ceremony at Bordeaux town hall. Fernandez put her dreams of becoming a professional dancer on hold to support her footballer husband’s career, and they marked their 30th wedding anniversary in 2024.

Zidane’s Football Progeny

Zidane and his wife are parents to four sons. Their firstborn, Enzo, arrived in March 1995, followed by Luca in May 1998. Theo was born in May 2002, and Elyaz made his entrance the day after Christmas in 2005. Each son has pursued a career in football, following in their father’s footsteps.

Enzo climbed the ranks in the youth teams of Juventus, Liceo Frances, San Jose and Real Madrid before joining Los Blancos C team in 2014. He advanced to the first team in 2016 but never played a La Liga match for them. Instead, he moved on to play for Alaves, Lausanne-Sport, Aves, Almeria, Rodez and Fuenlabrada. At 29, he has been without a club since the last summer.

Luca spent his entire youth career at Real Madrid, breaking into the B-Team in 2016. His promotion to the first team in 2017 proved more successful than his older brother’s, as he played two La Liga matches for the Spanish titans before moving on to Rayo Vallecano, Eibar and Granada, where he currently plies his trade.

Theo initially honed his skills at the Canillas and Real Madrid academies before making a significant impact on Real Madrid’s B-Team in 2021, clocking up 93 league appearances as a midfielder. This summer, he switched to Cordoba on a free transfer, where he has already made four appearances for the Segunda Division team.

Elyaz, the youngest of the four brothers, charted a slightly different course in his youth career. Starting out at Canillas and Real Madrid like his siblings, the centre-back transferred to Betis this year. At just 18 years old, he has already featured in ten games for Betis B.

Manchester United connections

Since leaving Madrid in 2021, Zinedine Zidane has been associated with various managerial positions, including potential stints at Bayern Munich and Manchester United at the club level, and internationally with teams like the United States, Brazil, and Algeria. However, he remains patient in choosing his next move.

Regarding the possibility of taking over at Manchester United if Erik ten Hag’s tenure ends, Zidane has remained tight-lipped. In an interview with L’Equipe in 2022, Zidane confessed: “Never say never. Especially when you are a coach today. If I go back to a club, it is to win. I say this with all modesty. That’s why I can’t just go anywhere. For other reasons, too. Certain conditions make things more difficult.

“When someone says to me, ‘Do you want to go to Manchester [United]? ‘ I understand English but I don’t fully master it. I know there are coaches who go to clubs without speaking the language, but I work differently. To win, many elements come into play. It’s a global context. I know what I need to win. Of course, I might not always win, but I know that you need to have this, this and this. And I want to do everything on my side to optimise my chances of victory.”

No signs are pointing to Erik ten Hag being ousted by Ratcliffe in the immediate future, with hints that he’ll be given more time to address Manchester United’s challenges. United’s 1-0 triumph against Fulham showed early season potential, yet following tensions surfaced during their 2-1 loss at Brighton. Compounding woes, United suffered a stinging 3-0 defeat by arch-rivals Liverpool at Old Trafford. The Reds now aim for redemption as they prepare for their upcoming clash with Southampton.