Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has expressed understanding towards Zinedine Zidane's hesitation to accept the Manchester United job amid the ongoing struggles at Old Trafford. Zidane, the former Real Madrid manager, has been frequently linked with the United role as Erik ten Hag's position comes under increasing scrutiny. Currently, United sit 14th in the Premier League and have only managed two draws in their Europa League group, intensifying calls for a managerial change.
Emery knows the importance of language proficiency in football management, especially after experiencing challenges in his own communication during his time at Arsenal. “I had a decent level, although I needed to improve. When results are bad it’s not the same,” Emery stated, recalling his struggles with the English language. He added, “You lack the linguistic depth to explain. And take ‘good ebening’: OK, it’s ‘good evening’, but when I said ‘good ebening’ and won it was fun; when we were losing it was a disgrace.”
Zidane's reluctance to join United stems from his self-acknowledged lack of fluency in English. In a 2022 interview with L’Equipe, he stated, “If I go to a club, it's to win. I say this in all modesty. That's why I can't go anywhere. The language, for example, makes things more difficult.” Despite his impressive managerial credentials, including three consecutive Champions League titles with Real Madrid, Zidane has maintained that language barriers could hinder his effectiveness.
The Mirror reports that with the speculation surrounding Ten Hag’s future intensifying—especially after a heavy loss to Tottenham—the likes of Thomas Tuchel and Gareth Southgate are also being mentioned as possible replacements at United. However, Zidane remains a prominent figure in the conversation, having enjoyed unparalleled success in his managerial career.
Emery, who has rejuvenated his managerial reputation with successful stints at Villarreal and now at Aston Villa, acknowledges the allure of English football. “In England that identification with your team brings the game alive,” he previously remarked, highlighting the unique football culture found in the Premier League. The understanding between the two managers, compounded by their respective experiences, underscores the complexities inherent in football management.