Zidane equals Mourinho's three-year title tally in just 11 months
Real Madrid's Club World Cup win over Kashima Antlers on Sunday handed the French coach his third trophy with the club in under a year, matching what José Mourino took some three seasons to do.
In claiming the Club World Cup crown on Sunday, Zinedine Zidane adds this latest triumph to the Champions League and UEFA SuperCup that he has won with Real Madrid since taking over from Rafa Benitez at the club in January. It also means that in just 11 months, the Frenchman has picked up the same amount of major titles that José Mourinho managed in three seasons as Los Blancos.
Critics proved wrong
Zidane – whose appointment was questioned at first due to his lack of experience as a top-level coach – had an uncertain start. However, in leading Madrid to European glory and taking LaLiga to the final day of the campaign, he emphatically proved his critics wrong. He has also won the approval and gratitude of Madrid fans, backing up his success last season by winning first the UEFA SuperCup and now the Club World Cup.
Better than Mou
And the achievements Zidane has made in such a short space of time seem even more impressive when sized up to one of his predecessors, José Mourinho. The Portuguese won the same number of titles but it took him three years to do so, taking home the Copa del Rey (beating Barça), the LaLiga trophy, and also the Spanish SuperCup (again against Los Cules).
In Ancelotti's footsteps
If the French coach can attain yet another trophy this season, then that would put him on par with Carlo Ancelotti, who remarkably won four trophies in two years before being unceremoniously sacked in 2015. The Italian won the Copa del Rey against Barcelona, La Decima against Atleti, the UEFA Super Cup against Sevilla and the Club World Cup in Morocco.