Zinedine Zidane has been linked with a move to Manchester United as head coach for a few years now, but another club are looking at the possibility of landing him in the coming weeks.
Zinedine Zidane looks on and points
Zidane has been out of work since 2021 and has been linked with Manchester United
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Zinedine Zidane is being lined up as a possible option for a new job in football, following previous links to Manchester United, as they battle with making decisions over the future of Ruben Amorim.
The club have been facing pressure to see an upturn in results and performances, especially after recording a new low in the Premier League last season.
After a large transfer spend in the summer, the likes of Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, Benjamin Sesko, and Senne Lammens all joined the club to try and help turn things around.
The first half of the season has been relatively positive, but it hasn't been without its problems, such as a defeat to 10-man Everton and a frustrating draw with West Ham.
Given the lack of European football this season and how wide open the Premier League is, the pressure is on Amorim to get United back on the right track and trending upwards once again.
There is constant pressure lurking in the background over the possibility of changing the head coach if things don't change, with some replacements being linked in recent months.
One that continues to be linked with a move to Old Trafford is Zidane, who has plenty of superstar appeal and pedigree.
However, if United are keen on landing him, then they may have to act quickly, as El Mundo reports that he is being lined up as a possible successor to Xabi Alonso at Real Madrid, as part of a potential return to the club.
Los Blancos are set for meetings over the future of their head coach, after recent reports claim that some players in the squad have a strained relationship with him.
Zidane has been out of management since 2021, but a return to Real Madrid could bring back that feel-good factor around the club that may be needed.
The Frenchman won 11 trophies over two separate spells with the Spanish giants as their manager, which included three Champions Leagues and two La Liga titles.
The 53-year-old is yet to manage elsewhere, however, and it remains to be seen whether he would be open to that possibility.
As for Man United, if the hierarchy are considering a change and believe Zidane is the man to take them forward, then action will be needed swiftly.
That seems unlikely for now, unless that stance dramatically changes, as Sir Jim Ratcliffe claimed earlier this season that he views Amorim as the one for the future.
"Ruben needs to demonstrate he is a great coach over three years," the Man United co-owner told The Business podcast.
He was then asked if Amorim would get those three years, and he responded: "Yes. That is where I would be. Three years. Because football is not overnight.
"It's three years. You also look at [Mikel] Arteta at Arsenal. He had a miserable time over the first couple of years. We have to be patient. We have a long-term plan. It isn't a light switch.
"You can't run a club like Manchester United on knee-jerk reactions to some journalist who goes off on one every week."
Amorim recently celebrated one year in charge of the club, which has been full of challenges, as he looks ahead to making it a better second year.