I’d Say Yes To Madrid Job – Zidane

The France legend is in charge of the club’s Castilla side but admits he couldn’t turn down the chance of succeeding Carlo Ancelotti

Zinedine Zidane has admitted for the first time that he would take over as Real Madrid boss if offered the job by president Florentino Perez.

The 42-year-old is in charge of the club’s Castilla side but has been linked with the top job following speculation regarding the future of current boss Carlo Ancelotti.

Madrid have struggled since the turn of the year, losing the top spot to Barcelona in La Liga, and Zidane says he couldn’t possibly say no to the chance of succeeding the Italian.

He told Canal+: “If the post of Real’s coach was proposed to me, I would certainly agree. But there is a coach right now who is doing a very good job. And I’m in a structure and still learning.

“Am I ready for the job? You are never ready, and even if you’re not you still say yes. As a player, I didn’t forge my career in two years. Things happen gradually. In coaching, it will be the same.

“l’ve learned a lot from Carlo and he knows what I think of him. He is the perfect coach for Madrid, despite what people say.”

Zidane is yet to coach a first-team side since hanging up his boots in 2006, though he did spend last season as assistant coach under Ancelotti as the club won the Champions League.

The former Madrid midfielder also worked under Jose Mourinho during the Portuguese’s time in charge at the Santiago Bernabeu, and he discussed their respective qualities.

“From Mourinho, what I learned is that he never gives up,” he continued.

“His handling is surprising, but he is right because he is harsh, yet fair. After a while it can be heavy, but he is fair and does everything for his players.

“For Ancelotti, it’s different. He is a ‘cool dad’ with his players, he’s more patient. But he also knows that sometimes you need to be harsh.

“Managing egos is the hardest thing for a coach. I know what a dressing room is like. The difficulty is to manage a group, it’s like a business. Sometimes you have to be hard, and sometimes leave some players alone. A single player may destabilise the entire collective. In a team, there are rules to follow.”