Zinedine Zidane has fuelled the speculation linking Real Madrid with Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe by saying he would love the opportunity to work with his fellow Frenchman.
Zidane returned to the Santiago Bernabeu earlier this week just 10 months after leaving the post having won a third successive Champions League title with Los Blancos.
During the manager's introductory news conference on Monday, Madrid president Florentino Perez joked that he hoped Zidane's nationality could play a factor in luring Mbappe away from PSG.
The 20-year-old has already stated his desire to remain in the French capital next season, yet Zidane spoke glowingly about Mbappe at his pre-match news conference on Friday.
Asked whether he would want to coach such a talent, Zidane told reporters: "Of course. I'd be happy to train all the good players.
"It's not the time though to speak about that."
Mbappe's team-mate Neymar is also thought to be of interest to Madrid, and while Zidane would not be drawn on transfer plans, he did reference the two PSG players' elite ability.
"I am not going to talk about someone who is not a Real Madrid player," he said.
"We are playing this season. I can't talk about other players so what I can say is the two players you talked about - Neymar and Mbappe - we know the quality they have.
"We know what they are like, but having said that the only thing in my head is the game tomorrow and nothing else."
Madrid, which is 12 points behind LaLiga leader Barcelona with 11 games remaining, faces Celta Vigo at home on Saturday.
whykallar
104
Zadine if you really wanted to coach Mbappe, you should have signed to coach PSG, that kid going to be with PSG for the next 3 seasons, he's not even after big money, that's why he keep donating huge money to organizations that need it.
King_Keynan
91
The PSG owner Nasser Al-Khaleifi said "If any club gives to me €1B. I'll never give Mbappe" so Good luck to Zidane
kincdlorsy
85
I really don't know what madrid have to done some people Why Peoples are jealous of Madrid like that i don't understand why, you see they have seen that 1, we are great 2,we are rich, 3 we have luky 4,we are big 5,if any player come there you become big star 6 we are deferent in all teams in the world 7, there is more distance between all the teams 8,God have bless us already 9,what we have done no club can do it 10,if you are jealous of Madrid we don't care about you just stop saying they can't do this or that you are not God stop jealous of Madrid it won't take you to anywhere HALA MADRID NO SIZE
DCkathimpu19
76
That means Zidane has optimum desire to manage National team. 😂
DannyE
73
Madrid have many young good wingers who need a good Manager to bring the best out of them. For me I don’t think Madrid really need Mbappe now they have so many stars players like Marco Asensio, Lucas Vázquez, Vinícius Júnior and the new signing last season Rodrygo who’s yet to join the Team this summer. If Madrid get Mbappe 2 to 3 of this player will have to leave or been benched for Mbappe.