Zinedine Zidane says he is ready to return to the dugout, fuelling speculation the former Real Madrid boss could be in line to replace Jose Mourinho at Manchester United.

Zidane left Madrid at the conclusion of the 2017-18 season and has been linked with positions ever since, including a director role at Serie A giants Juventus.

His immensely successful spell with Los Blancos, which included three consecutive Champions League titles and a La Liga crown, has pegged the 46-year-old in the elite managerial bracket.

And Zidane has declared his intention of making a coaching return after enjoying a short break from the game.

Zidane told TVE: “Certainly I’ll be coaching again soon because it’s what I like doing and what I’ve done all my life.”

There have been reports in England that Zidane could be heading to the Premier League with Mourinho’s third-season struggles at Old Trafford seeing him linked the hotseat there.

The Portuguese boss is under immense pressure after an inconsistent opening to the season and if the wayward start continues deep into the campaign, United may look elsewhere with Zidane thought to be high on their list of candidates.