Laurent Blanc says that he had “some discussion” over becoming Manchester United manager in 2014.
Blanc, who is currently out of work after leaving PSG in summer 2016, has long been linked with taking over former club United.
The Frenchman spent two years at Old Trafford before retiring in 2003, and says he held talks over replacing David Moyes in 2014 – although they should obviously never have sacked the Scot.
“I had a call from a director, I’d prefer not to say who, and some discussion,” he told The Times.
“But I was in Paris so it was very difficult for me. We kept in touch but they went with Van Gaal in the end.”
Blanc, who Sky Sports say ‘was again under consideration’ when Jose Mourinho was sacked in December, added that “managing in England is a big ambition”.
“It’s more difficult if you go to a foreign country,” he added. “You need to be very good, not just good.
“But I know the job. I have big experience at Paris. It’s difficult for me to go to another club in France. I want a different challenge in England, Spain or Italy. I played in those countries, I know them. So I keep going to games and I see what calls come in.”