Paris Saint-Germain’s players ‘believe Zinedine Zidane’s arrival as their new manager is imminent’

Paris Saint-Germain’s players believe Zinedine Zidane becoming their new manager is ‘imminent’, with Mauricio Pochettino keen to take over at Manchester United.

Pochettino, the current incumbent at the Parc des Princes, has been identified as a prime candidate at Old Trafford after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was dismissed.

And any approach for him may free up PSG’s hot seat, with Zidane – the renowned former Real Madrid boss – believed to be in pole position to take over.

The likes of Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe are said to view Zidane as their next manager

As a result, Marca have reported that the feeling inside PSG’s dressing room is that Zidane is poised to step in in the near future to succeed Pochettino.

United, for now, have appointed Michael Carrick as their caretaker boss, and their search for a permanent replacement for club legend Solskjaer is underway.

It has been widely suggested that hierarchy quickly turned their attention to Zidane, although he is believed to have turned them down.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was sacked by Manchester United after the damaging 4-1 loss at Watford

A compromise could be reached, however, with Pochettino heading to United and Zidane – still a hero in his homeland – returning to management in Paris.

The duo may even be on the move shortly. Sportsmail revealed yesterday that Pochettino is interested in taking up the United vacancy this season.

Indeed, Marca’s report goes on to add that PSG’s stars are already privately discussing the possibility of Zidane managing the club over the coming weeks.

He would take over a side already 11 points clear at the top of Ligue 1 and also in a strong position to progress from their Champions League group. 

Mauricio Pochettino wants to walk away from PSG and take over United’s vacancy this season

Pochettino is prepared to walk away from PSG now because he is unhappy there.

He has been living in a hotel while his family remain in London, and is also struggling to deal with big dressing room egos like Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.

Pochettino was linked with the United job when Solskjaer replaced Jose Mourinho in December 2018, and still has admirers among the hierarchy at Old Trafford. 

However, Ajax boss Erik ten Hag is another candidate who would be interested in stepping in – although it is believed he would not be available until the summer. 

Zidane is one of the favourites to replace Pochettino after turning down United’s advances

Pochettino is unhappy with life at PSG and may become half of a sensational coaching swap

Brendan Rodgers, Zinedine Zidane and Ralf Rangnick are among the other contenders, with the search underway for Solskjaer’s permanent replacement. 

Zidane, meanwhile, is also interested in managing the France national team, with current boss Didier Deschamps’ contract expiring after next year’s World Cup.

During his two spells at the helm of Real Madrid, Zidane won the Champions League three times as well as two LaLiga titles.