It was a common sight at Real Madrid’s training ground during his first coaching spell - Zinedine Zidane pinging balls into the area and Cristiano Ronaldo blasting them in.
Just as habitual were his confabs with Karim Benzema, Sergio Ramos and Luka Modric. Zidane won two leagues and three European Cups over two stints at the club and the success was based on the tightest of relationships with the team’s best players.
Having been a great player himself, he understood them. It was the chemistry that brought trophies rather than grand tactical projects or one-to-one work to improve the squad’s lesser lights.
That should not undervalue what he achieved. As former Madrid player Predrag Mijatovic once said: ‘You can only call a Champions League winner lucky once.’ Zidane won it three times.
But it was success thanks to strong personalities — his own and those he made leaders of the dressing room — as opposed to season-to-season reinvention or even game-time intervention to change matches.
Success at Manchester United would depend on how well he could repeat that. In Ronaldo, Paul Pogba and Raphael Varane, he would certainly have one of his generals in each line of the team.
One of the reasons he left Real Madrid the first time around is that he understood the club were selling Ronaldo. He urged Real Madrid to sign Paul Pogba on several occasions, first in 2016.
His relationship with Raphael Varane goes back to 2011 when he called him to persuade him to join the club instead of moving to Old Trafford.
One thing Zidane never really brought to the Madrid job was any marked improvement in young players.
His failure to develop the 21-year-old Brazilian Vinicius and his 20-year-old compatriot Rodrygo has been exposed by Carlo Ancelotti, who has moulded both into first-team starters this season.
And it’s also a bit of a myth that Madrid’s football was tantalizing under Zidane.
In his tailored suit on the touchline, he was sometimes the most stylish thing about them — particularly when they won the league in the 2019-20 season.
They won 10 of their last 11 games but six of those victories were by a one-goal advantage with three workmanlike 1-0 wins included. The glint of silverware at the end of the season made up for the lustreless displays en route to the title.
LUNGTOB
0
zidane might be better for man united coach......
Sepabostz
2
please Man United they must sign Zidane because this coach ole guna he make Manchester weak definitely
Andy_Mac
0
Go seat you Chelsea mother fucker 😡😡😡👁👁
Did I hit a nerve? 😂
Yozaekotuz
1
I chose Zidane
Nacbcdstz
1
Both Zidane and Conte are great managers, but Conte can have and advantage in terms of previous coaching in England than Zizoo otherwise anyone of the two could be great for the Red Devils.
romaklnou
2
zidane is tha Best
Mowaemprs
0
conte is better than zizo because his tatiks are soo good
Mohomadsalah
1
ZIDANE IN OLE OUT
Mohomadsalah
2
fudbcios
1
to me Zidane is a coach of Luke the experience is too low he wins three consecutive champions league for Madrid I know but Conte is good
Sonadeiku
0
we want Zidane
fudbcios
1
I think Conte is a perfect simply because the experience is very higher than Zidane ,
Wosadkmns
0
when did u start supporting Madrid , did you even watch our matches when he was in charge
You damn sick bruh
la_joya112
0
Zidane doesn’t know how to build team, he failed to build Madrid and used old players consistently until he ran away from responsibility. Zidane actually relax on the old folks
when did u start supporting Madrid , did you even watch our matches when he was in charge
taadepru
0
conte
Vicsammy
0
I prefer a Coach with a premier league experience and a discipline Coach that can demand what he want from the players and board he is one and only Conte....Zidane doesn't speak English and United doesn't have a good Dm cause he is going to play 4-3- 3 formation with our bunch of defenders that are playing like crabs,Let Conte comes in and let our dear legends that turn pundits due to there failure of handling a football club as a Coach leave Conte to do his Job
nucdinprty
0
zidane
Alhajishamsi
1
zidane no go man u
nusckorsy
1
zinedine zidane
Netbceotz
0
zidane
koadintz
0
Conte if not Zidane
Deuces1235
0
Zidane doesn’t know how to build team, he failed to build Madrid and used old players consistently until he ran away from responsibility. Zidane actually relax on the old folks
Just stfu
Dewan_Sazzadur_Rahma
0
If Conte comes, huge change is aslo coming at UTD
Taweiktuz
1
conte
Mastaprocharlesjr
0
Conte🔥🎱
dawcdnoyz
2
zidane
Wosadkmns
0
Zidane doesn’t know how to build team, he failed to build Madrid and used old players consistently until he ran away from responsibility. Zidane actually relax on the old folks
Beocemopsy
0
Zidane would get the most out of Utd squad that he has.
Armathon24
3
If you want to see Greenwood Sancho and Rashford at wing back,sign Conte. 😂😂😂😂😂
leroymichael
1
Conte is the man✊
Sumcdmpuy
0
conte
Niyikmnp
4
cidalruyz
3
zidane only
milijr⚽
0
conte
Epic77
1
Tothenem checking what's all the noise about
nondeopsty
2
Zidane
RajuMondal
0
conte
Zuhbdiktuz
2
zinedine Zidane
Nazainprst
2
Zidane is better
wuoabcipsu
1
klop jugen
patapata
1
CONTE
Ashfaqfahim
1
Conte will be perfect.
Barristerz
1
Zidane
simacdmny
1
Zidane
cyroc
3
Zizou isn't interested in coaching man united, he is waiting for a call from madrid (his home)
yisacdknop
1
ZIDANA
dkultrasam
0
Conte could be next as he will manage the squad very well
bomacdekty
0
zizou knows Ronaldo an Verana very well so we need zizou
Mehaeprstz
0
Conte
GGMUFOREVER♥️❤️♥️
2
Conte , Ten Hag or Brendan Rogers will be the next Manchester United squad as Zidane has admitted he doesn't want to manage in Premier League and he wants to coach the France National Team🚨🚨