Ferguson wanted Papin as assistant

FORMER France international Jean-Pierre Papin has claimed he held discussions about becoming Manchester United’s assistant manager.

Papin has regularly been touted for a coaching role at Old Trafford and it appears Alex Ferguson made a renewed attempt to lure the ex-Marseille marksman to the club during the summer.

Ferguson has been searching for a fresh number two since Carlos Queiroz left the club to take over the reins at Spanish giants Real Madrid.

The veteran Red Devils boss reportedly talked to Papin at length about adding him to his backroom staff but, ultimately, no contract offer materialised.

Papin revealed he would have been sorely tempted by any United role but questions whether he would have accepted any proposition due to his family commitments.

“I had very serious contact with them,” Papin told France Football yesterday. “But now, I ask myself what would I have done if they had proposed me a contract.

“What about my family? In Manchester, there is no French school. You can’t do anything with your kids. It is difficult.

“Will I become a coach later? I don’t know. Coaching is a beautiful job but it is extremely stressful.

“The perfect job is sporting director. I would love to rejoin l’OM one day. I lived in heaven there.”

Papin also admitted he holds Arsenal striker Thierry Henry in high esteem and has backed his compatriot to lift the coveted Balon d’Or prize although he feels his old Milan team-mate Paolo Maldini is a strong contender for the award.

He added: “I hope Thierry Henry will win the next Balon d’Or. I believe he is the player that has improved the most since 1998.

“You can’t be the best striker in England for almost two years by chance.

“But for three or four years, people say it would be nice for a defender to win the trophy, so that is worrying.

“So I think Paolo Maldini deserves it too.”