LALIGA
Why do Real Madrid want Zinedine Zidane back? How could he help them sign Kylian Mbappé?
Florentino Pérez is lining up a sensational return for Zidane but in what role? Manager Carlo Ancelotti will continue until June 2024.
Real Madrid want Zinedine Zidane. No, this is not 2001, nor 2013, nor 2016, nor 2019. They say that you should never go back in soccer, yet the French superstar has made a mockery of that claim after becoming assistant coach, B team manager and then first-team head coach (twice) at the club he is arguably most associated with as a player.
And now, it seems, just over two years after leaving his position as Madrid manager for a second time, Zidane is being lined up for another stint in the Spanish capital. Or at least that’s what club president Florentino Pérez would like.
The 1998 Ballon d’Or winner’s legacy at Estadio Santiago Bernabéu cannot be downplayed. A superb winning goal in the 2002 Champions League final as a player, followed by three more European titles as a coach, as well as two league titles and a host of other ‘lesser’ trophies.
Jude Bellingham in awe of Real Madrid legend Zidane
Anyone who watched Jude Bellingham’s unveiling as a Real Madrid player, in which it was revealed he will wear Zidane’s number 5 jersey, will have been left in no doubt as to the Frenchman’s status as an icon by the English youngster’s huge respect for the man he will attempt to imitate.
There has been plenty of speculation in recent months surrounding the future of manager Carlo Ancelotti, who the Brazil Soccer Federation (CBF) want to take over their national team. However, the Italian will ultimately see out the remainder of his contract, which expires at the end of the 2023/24 season.
What role could Zidane play at Real Madrid?
If Zidane isn’t going back for a third spell as manager, then what would his role be? Given the former France captain’s standing in world soccer and continuing influence at the top of the sport, Pérez is hoping to convince the 50-year-old to return to the club in an advisory role.
Even when not at the club, Zidane has been a key figure in convincing certain players to move to Madrid, including Raphaël Varane in 2011 and Aurélien Tchouaméni in 2022. And, unless you’ve been living on the moon, you’ll probably be aware that there’s another French player Los Merengues are hopeful of recruiting in the not-too-distant future. Would Kylian Mbappé be able to resist the charm of Zidane, the man he has previously said was his first idol?