Zlatan Ibrahimovic to be offered Manchester United coaching role by Jose Mourinho in effort to tie Swede to club for the future
Swedish striker is battling back from a knee injury but is still wanted by clubs all over the world
ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC will be offered a coaching role at Manchester United by Jose Mourinnho in a bid to get the Swede to sign a new deal, according to reports.
The striker is currently out of action with a serious knee injury he suffered in the last game of his United contract but talks have already been held about his return.
And the Independent claims a post-playing role on the coaching staff has been mentioned as the Portuguese boss aims to tie the powerhouse to the club long-term.
The 35-year-old is already well ahead of schedule, judging by his social media posts of his gruelling training regime, and could soon be back in a United shirt.
But Mourinho sees potential for former Barcelona and Inter Milan star Ibrahimovic to have a more long-term influence on the young players coming through at the club.
Without Roy Keane and the Class of ’92 to guide young Old Trafford talents, the Special One has apparently spotted a gap in the market for Zlatan.
Didier Drogba was used in a similar role towards the end of his Chelsea playing career by Mourinho, and is likely to return to the club in some capacity.
And the United boss is said to be keen on getting the experienced ex-Ajax frontman to take on a similar duty after he hangs up his shooting boots.
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Even though United looked ruthless in attack against meek West Ham on Sunday, Ibrahimovic’s return to the squad is still high on the agenda.
Mourinho said: “We are discussing the possibility of him to stay with us.
“It was very clear from him that what he did last year was not enough for him.
“He wants more football at the highest level so we are having conversations and discussing the possibility of him staying for the second part of the season.
"He is injured, he needs time to recover, and is not ready to play tomorrow.
“It’s not something that’s urgent, it’s not desperate to have it done or not.”
