The longer you spend out of the game, he argues, the more likely you are to fall out of contention when some rather attractive jobs become available. Such as, for example, the Manchester United one, Erik ten Hag fighting for his future under a new and ambitious ownership group led by Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

Photo by NICOLAS TUCAT/AFP via Getty ImagesZinedine Zidane tipped for Manchester United job

“I think he needs to coach now. He can’t stay on the sidelines for too long,” De Meco says on the Super Moscato Show ahead of a summer in which some of the biggest clubs in Europe may be on the lookout for a new head coach.

“Barcelona has been mentioned. For him, that still seems impossible to me. There is Bayern (Munich) who will look, even if there are Xabi Alonsos. You have Liverpool (Jurgen Klopp is leaving Anfield), you have Bayern, you have Manchester United…

“At some point, we will still have to make one or two concessions. Concessions are, for example, going to a country where you find learning the language a little more difficult. Where the weather is less beautiful.

“For me, if there are all these big clubs and if United want him at all costs… United is still a monstrous club. Failing, yes, but on the other hand that’s where you take risks. If you go to a club which has just been champion from Europe, you also take a risk. Life is a risk.”

Erik ten Hag’s future uncertain at Old Trafford

The likes of Roberto de Zerbi, Ruben Amorim, Julian Nagelsmann and Graham Potter – who Ratcliffe once tried to take to Nice – have all been mentioned as potential successors for Ten Hag in the media.

And while Zidane has often fielded questions over his tactical nous – the critics will say he is merely a souped-up ‘man-manager’ reliant upon the talents of the world-class players at his disposal – a tally of 11 trophies as a head coach, including three successive Champions Leagues, is a record few can argue with.

Ten Hag, meanwhile, secured a much-needed 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup. Casemiro scored a late decider at the City Ground.