Zinedine Zidane was Newcastle United’s ‘top choice’ to replace Steve Bruce, but the Frenchman wasn’t interested in the job.
That’s according to El Español, who say that the Magpies wanted Zidane ahead of Unai Emery, who then became the leading candidate for the position.
They explain that the former Real Madrid coach was at the top of the list of candidates Newcastle wanted to pursue, particularly because he’s currently not working in any capacity.
Newcastle’s new management came ‘making noise’ before their takeover was announced, but Zidane did not see the chance to move to the North East ‘with good eyes’, and that was the end of any interest.
Zidane is currently the ‘overwhelming favourite’ for the latter position, although that is dependent on Didier Deschamps leaving at some point.
That is why Manchester United is another option, and the Frenchman is ‘keen’ on that move should it become available.
A move to Manchester United would allow him to link up with former Real Madrid stars Raphael Varane and Cristiano Ronaldo, and having the trio would be a ‘perfect cherry’ on the cake at Old Trafford. Although it needs to be noted that the general French consensus is that Zidane isn’t overly keen on a move to anywhere in England.
