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Zinedine Zidane's agent appears to rule him out of succeeding Jose Mourinho at Manchester United

Zinedine Zidane prior to the La Liga match between Sevilla and Real Madrid
Image: Zinedine Zidane's agent believes the manager will continue his year-long sabbatical

Zinedine Zidane's long-term agent has poured cold water on reports the Frenchman is being lined-up as Jose Mourinho's successor at Manchester United.

Alain Migliaccio, who among many deals helped negotiate Zidane's switch from Juventus to Real Madrid in 2001, believes he will continue his year-long sabbatical after leaving the manager's post at the Bernabeu in the summer.

Migliaccio also does not believe Zidane wants to manage in England either, suggesting his style differs from the English game.

Quoted in French Sunday newspaper Le Journal du Dimanche, Migliaccio said: "He chose to take a sabbatical year. He will not dive back in before (that is over).

"I do not think he's going to coach in England; it's not his style. I've discussed it with him, it does not really appeal to him."

Zinedine Zidane's cut-out placed in-front of Jose Mourinho's
Image: Zidane's cut-out placed in-front of Jose Mourinho's

Migliaccio suggested a return to Juventus is more likely. "There is history there," he said. "It could happen." He also said the 46-year-old would not necessarily just choose a big club, but could be attracted by a "magnificent project".

Manchester United insisted reports on Friday that Mourinho could soon be dismissed were "nonsense", before the team came from behind to beat Newcastle 3-2 in a dramatic second-half turnaround on Saturday.

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Zinedine Zidane cut-out
Image: Some supporters saw the funny side of the stunt, but it appears Zidane will not be heading to United any time soon.

Mourinho believes he is the victim of a "manhunt" that will "never stop" but that he was reassured over Friday's reports via a text from the United board.

A cardboard cut out of Zidane popped-up outside Old Trafford on Saturday and was stood in-front of a similar image of Mourinho, before it was later removed.

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