Zinedine Zidane is back on the radar of Real Madrid as they look for a replacement for their current manager, Carlo Ancelotti. The former Real Madrid manager is currently on a hiatus and would be tempted to rejoin the merry-go-round of European soccer.
As per El Chiringuito TV, the Frenchman is the number of option for Florentino Perez to replace Carlo Ancelotti. The Italian manager is speculated to depart from Real Madrid after a successful second stint with the club. Ancelotti is rumored to take the role of the head coach for the Brazil national team before the 2024 Copa América in the USA.
🚨 Zinedine Zidane is Real Madrid’s number 1 option in the event of Carlo Ancelotti’s departure at the end of the season. 🇨🇵
(Source: @elchiringuitotv) pic.twitter.com/Zq3qlYdL5A
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) October 12, 2023
Meanwhile, Perez is reported to be looking for a successor in case Ancelotti departs, and early reports from Spain point towards Zidane. Another candidate for the job is Xabi Alonso, who is winning over experts and fans with his performances with Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen.
As per German reports, Alonso has a clause in his deal that allows him to leave the club if an offer from Real Madrid arrives.
In case Carlo Ancelotti leaves in 2024, Real Madrid have three names to replace him; Xabi Alonso, Álvaro Arbeloa and Raúl in that order.
— @diarioas pic.twitter.com/KjMiyB9epz
— Madrid Universal (@MadridUniversal) October 13, 2023
Zidane has been on a hiatus for two years since his last spell with Real Madrid. He left the club in 2021 due to differences with the club hierarchy over internal matters. As per new reports, the bridges have been mended between the parties, which could open the return of the Frenchman for a third spell with the club.
Earlier last month reports from France claimed that Zidane would willing to take up the job in Ligue 1 with Marseille should the club be taken over by Saudi Arabia, just like Newcastle. Should the sale of the French club go through, Zidane will have two options in front of him, if he decides to return to the game.
Zinedine Zidane as Real Madrid manager
Zidane started his career as a manager at Real Madrid. He spent a year as the manager of the U17 side of the club back in the 2012/13 season. He was later promoted to assistant manager of the main team in 2013/14 where he was under Carlo Ancelotti.
From there he moved to being the assistant manager and then the head manager of Real Madrid Castilla, the B side of Real Madrid in the lower divisions of the Spanish league. He stayed there till the start of 2016. In January 2016, Zidane took over Rafa Benitez to become the manager of the main squad of Real Madrid.
“I will give my heart for this club, and try to make everything go well.”#OnThisDay in 2016, Zidane was announced as Real Madrid manager. pic.twitter.com/YXpxJzxpee
— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) January 4, 2023
During his first spell, he managed the club for 878 days, during which he took charge of 149 games in all competitions, winning 105 and losing only 16. He won three UEFA Champions League back to back during this spell, along with the 2016/17 La Liga title.
He returned to the club in March 2019 for the second spell with the club, taking over Santiago Solari. In this spell, he took charge of the club for 842 days, taking charge of the club for 114 matches, winning 69 and losing 20. He didn’t win any UEFA Champions League this time around but won another La Liga title for the 2019/20 season.
In total, Zidane has won 11 major trophies during his two spells with the club. The Frenchman can be pointed as a safe bet for Perez to choose a successor for Ancelotti to compete with Xavi’s FC Barcelona.