Zidane The Manager

Brian Clough. Sir Bobby Robson. Johan Cruyff. Frank Rijkaard. Pep Guardiola. Antonio Conte. Some great footballers make great managers. Some, for varying reasons, don't. That is a mere footballing fact. Real Madrid are a club synonymous with success. We think of Di Stefano, Puskas, Butragueno, Del Bosque, Raul and Ronaldo. The have won La Liga thirty-two times and racked up nineteen Copa Del Rey triumphs. Eleven times they have lifted The European Cup. The Santiago Bernabeu is one of the most iconic stadia in Europe. They are arguably the biggest club in the world. There is a phenomenally rich history at Madrid and an insatiable, almost unquenchable desire to win, and win with a certain 'joie de vivre'. (They don't sign 'Galacticos' for nothing you know!) The processes put in place at such a club are all geared towards that next trophy, that next part of a new dynasty. The appointment of Zinedine Zidane as Head Coach was the final piece of a jigsaw that will see Real Madrid begin yet another generation of success.

All astute football scholars can appreciate the genius of Zidane the player. Two-footed, graceful, elegant with an incredible football brain, he could almost bring a match to a standstill he was so far ahead of the play in his mind and with the ball at his feet. But what of Zidane the coach? The manager? 

During Jose Mourinho's time at Real Madrid, it was he who brought Zidane back to the club in an official capacity in 2010, in an almost advisory role initially with a view to being a director of the club in the future. Zidane's knowledge of Madrid and the level of talent he possessed as a player inevitably led Mourinho to bring him closer to the first team, advising players, attending training sessions and conducting an ambassadorial role in the media. Zidane, a hugely popular, well-respected figurehead to front a new dawn at the club. The appointment was a very astute move by Mourinho and the Madrid hierarchy, and one that they'd have been a little foolish to ignore. The foundations were in place for Zidane to learn and develop off the field, both behind the scenes and on the football side of the club.

After Carlo Ancelotti was appointed Head Coach at Real Madrid, he promoted Zinedine Zidane making him his Assistant Manager; another step up the ladder of progression for the Frenchman in his ultimate quest towards the top job. Despite Ancelotti delivering 'La Decima' in 2014, the trophy that both the club and its supporters craved most of all, he was relieved of his duties at the end of the season and replaced by Rafael Benitez. Benitez struggled badly at Madrid and after only twenty-five matches was also dismissed, paving the way for 'Zizou' to take the top job. The biggest and most demanding job in world football. Promoted once again, this time from Madrid's Castilla side, the appointment of Zidane was made on 4th January 2016. He penned a contract until the end of the 2017/18 season.

It was now that Zidane could finally get to work, and his impact was immediate. In the first league game, Real crushed Deportivo 5-0 and they ended Barcelona's thirty-nine match unbeaten run during 'El Clasico' a few months after ZIdane took over the reins. The side marched on in Europe, sweeping aside all before them as they reached another European Cup Final, once again facing arch-rivals Atletico. With Zidane calling on all his knowledge and experience of winning trophies at such a high level, both domestically and internationally, he successfully delivered Real Madrid's eleventh European crown by beating their inner city rivals 5-3 on penalties after a high octane 1-1 draw in the San Siro. This coming only six months after taking over a side seemingly in a state of transition. Real Madrid were European Champions once again, and at the summit of the football world.

At the time of writing, Zidane has been in charge at The Bernabeu for fifty matches, winning thirty-seven, drawing eleven and losing just twice. His team are currently unbeaten in thirty-four matches, which is astonishingly, a club record. Madrid's directors can surely only marvel at what 'Zizou' has achieved so far at the club. The healthy relationship with the great man seems to be strengthening with each passing game and his players clearly feel the same. Take Sergio Ramos as an example...

"Zidane has this kind of magic that shone when he was a player and now as a coach. Since he has arrived, things have changed for the better. It is all positive now and the ambience is good, which helps the team's dynamic. There is harmony and empathy, different to what we had before. The merit goes to Zizou's work. We are all proud he is the leader of this ship, and of his work, both tactical and physical".

A glowing endorsement from one of his most experienced chieftains who has seen it all and won the lot. You get the feeling that Zidane will get the time to mould the squad to his own liking. He has the strong backing of current President Florentino Perez, club directors and undoubtedly, his players. He is only just beginning his managerial journey. The journey that was already earmarked for him after his appointment by Jose Mourinho. What a place to start and what a start it's been. It is still very early to say whether Zidane the manager can match the achievements of Zidane the player but judging by the opening few months of his tenure at Real Madrid, who would bet against another great player going on to become a great manager? We will all be watching with great interest.