Scholes: Man United’s Choice of Amorim Too Risky, Should Appoint Zidane

After dismissing Ten Hag, Manchester United has once again initiated the process of selecting a new head coach. Since 2013, this marks the sixth time the club has changed its manager.

Currently, Ruben Amorim, the head coach of Sporting CP, is considered one of the frontrunners to replace Ten Hag. The 39-year-old young coach has led his team to two Portuguese league titles and is reportedly very eager for the opportunity to manage Manchester United. However, Manchester United legend Paul Scholes believes that appointing such a young coach carries significant risks. Instead, he recommends a more experienced candidate—Zinedine Zidane.

Scholes said, “Amorim is indeed an interesting choice. But it also comes with certain risks. We all know his playing style is very attractive. In the past, we’ve heard about the possibility of him joining Manchester City, which clearly demonstrates his capabilities.”

However, Scholes also pointed out a key point: many candidates have succeeded at clubs with relatively less pressure, but this does not mean they can adapt to the challenges of a high-pressure environment like Manchester United. For example, Thomas Tuchel was once Scholes’ ideal choice, but he has now become the new manager of the England national team, thus no longer an option.

Zidane’s first tenure as manager at Real Madrid was extremely successful, winning the UEFA Champions League for three consecutive years, an achievement that is hard to forget. Although Zidane has not taken on a new coaching role since leaving Real Madrid in 2021, his glorious record undoubtedly makes him an ideal target for top clubs.

In an interview with the official Premier League website, Scholes stated clearly, “Zidane’s rich experience and his success record at the highest level make him more suitable for a big club like Manchester United. However, I am not sure about his proficiency in English or whether he is really interested in coaching in England. It’s hard to gauge his enthusiasm.”

During this transition period, former Manchester United star Ruud van Nistelrooy has been entrusted with the responsibility of serving as interim head coach, overseeing upcoming matches, including Wednesday’s EFL Cup game against Leicester City and Sunday’s Premier League clash with Chelsea.