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We’ve been hearing for a while that Zlatan Ibrahimović will be rejoining Manchester United once he recovers from injury, sometime around the turn of the year. The widely rumored story was that he would sign a short-term contract so that he could end his top flight career on his own terms, before jetting off to retirement MLS. But that may not be the end of Zlatan’s story at United. A new report today claims that the Swedish striker has also had preliminary discussions with the club about joining the coaching staff once his playing career is over.
José Mourinho sees Ibrahimović “as a similar figure to Didier Drogba, who can offer the squad expertise and experience,” according to The Independent. It’s not clear whether or not Ibrahimović has done any of his coaching badges, or how far down the line his eventual retirement will be. Supremely gifted and relentlessly driven players don’t always make good managers (“What do you mean you can’t scorpion kick it into the goal?!”), but they can make good coaches. Coaches are often a bridge between the playing staff and the manager, and who better than a serial winner and big presence like Ibrahimović to help maintain a culture of excellence at United?
In other news, Michael Carrick has urged his fellow fringe United players to be patient. Carrick was left out of the first matchday squad of the season, watching from a directors’ box alongside the likes of new signing Victor Lindelöf and youngster Axel Tuanzebe.
“We've got a great squad. It's a long season and there will be a lot of games. Hopefully we can go far in the cup competitions.
“There will be a lot of games, just like last year, and there is going to be a lot of rotation of the squad. It's good.”
It’s sound advice, even though it may be easier to swallow for 36 year-old Carrick than, say, 21 year-old Andreas Pereira who is ready for first team football.
Manchester City are apparently trying to sign Jonny Evans. Our Jonny Evans. That would be weird for a number of reasons, so let’s hope it doesn’t come off.