Zinedine Zidane will be keen to succeed Didier Deschamps as France boss in his next managerial role, despite links with the Manchester United job.
That is according to ex-Arsenal midfielder, and Zidane's former international team-mate, Emmanuel Petit, who does not believe he will make the move to Old Trafford.
Zidane is currently out of work after his second spell as Real Madrid manager ended in the summer.
The 49-year-old won 11 major trophies during his two spells in charge of Los Blancos, including three successive Champions League titles.
As such, with pressure growing on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's position at Old Trafford, the former Juventus and Real Madrid midfielder has been linked with succeeding the Norwegian as United boss.
However, Petit believes Zidane's mind will be focused on succeeding Deschamps as France manager after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
When asked about the possibility of Zidane becoming the next France manager, Petit told Bookmakers.co.uk : “That’s probably in his mind.
“I’m pretty sure after the 2022 World Cup Deschamps will leave the national team and join a club, he hinted at it in a press conference the other day.
“Zinedine has been mentioned as the next France manager for years, ever since he left Madrid the first time, so it would not be a surprise for anyone if that was his next job.”
Manchester Evening News understands that United are making succession plans for Solskjaer following humiliating defeats at home to Liverpool and Manchester City but Petit is not convinced it is a role that will interest Zidane.
“If you are a manager of a football club you need to speak different languages," the 51-year-old added.
“There are so many examples of wrong decisions in football – not necessarily the wrong decision about someone’s ability, but about the dressing room being a right fit given all the different nationalities.
“Communication is very important, so if you do not speak the language when you arrive at a club like Manchester United, that could be a big problem.
“I’ve been told that he has been learning English recently, so I think he knows it’s important for his career, but Zinedine being linked with Manchester United – I don’t believe it, to be honest.
“Of course, he’s a big name but he never played in the Premier League and has very little connection with it, so as I said, I don’t believe it.”
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