Zidane can match up to Clough and Paisley
“He has turned a floundering squad into a polished unit”
WHAT does he really do? It might seem an odd question to pose about a manager who stands on the brink of history, but it’s one people will still ask.
Zinedine Zidane was a genius as a player, one of the greatest we have ever seen, but so far his career in the dug-out has passed without significant acclaim. That is remarkable when you consider what he has done in such a short period of time.
This evening in Cardiff, he has the chance to become the first manager in the Champions League era to win it in back-toback seasons and join a select group that includes Bob Paisley, Arrigo Sacchi and Brian Clough as men who have retained club football’s greatest prize.
In 18 months he has also won Real Madrid’s first La Liga title since 2012 and the Club World Cup yet, whenever we talk about the Spanish giants, the focus is on Cristiano Ronaldo’s exploits, Gareth Bale’s brilliance or the impact of Luka Modric, Toni Kroos or Sergio Ramos.
Why is it assumed that Zidane is a figurehead and everything Real achieve is down to the talent of the squad? To put that into perspective, if asked to write down a list of the world’s top 10 managers I’d say 95 per cent of people wouldn’t include his name.
It is a strange situation, particularly when you make a comparison with Pep Guardiola. Zidane started out with Real Madrid Castilla, as Guardiola began with Barcelona B. Yet, whereas we were raving about Pep after his first 18 months, Zidane is almost flying under the radar.
His situation has parallels with Vicente del Bosque, who was manager of Real when Zidane arrived as a player and oversaw a golden era at the beginning of this century before going on to lead Spain to victory at the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012.
Del Bosque rarely became animated on the sidelines. He had the look of your favourite old uncle and Xabi Alonso once told me that one of his greatest abilities was to keep a low profile and make sure everyone was happy. He wasn’t a coach who burned with intensity.
As a result, when we look back at his teams’ achievements, we remember the magic in Spain’s midfield of Alonso, Xavi and Andres Iniesta, or the galactico play of the Brazilian Ronaldo, Luis Figo, Zidane and many more.
The importance of the manager, though, can never be overstated. Del Bosque was axed by Madrid for failing to retain the Champions League in 2003 but his sacking triggered a spell in which they won nothing for four years and failed to get beyond the Champions League’s last 16.
Real Madrid are such an extraordinary club in terms of size and the constant politics that, perhaps, the best results are achieved by those with an ability to remove themselves from the spotlight to concentrate on their work.
Zidane has done the opposite to his predecessor. Rafa Benitez, a man with huge experience who knew how the club operated, could not get the results Real wanted nor walk away from the fights that erupted in the dressing room and the boardroom.
Madrid could have reappointed Jose Mourinho when Benitez was sacked in January 2016 but they turned to Zidane, who had served his apprenticeship with Real Madrid Castilla and he has proved the decision to be wise.
He has barely put a foot wrong since winning his first match 5-0 against Deportivo La Coruna in January 2016, turning a squad who were floundering behind Barcelona and Atletico Madrid into the polished unit you will see against Juventus.
Remember, they are the same team Benitez had.
The improvement Zidane has overseen has come without spending money. Last summer, Madrid made a profit in their transfer dealings, which is a remarkable achievement in itself when you consider they are synonymous with paying huge fees.
It is a point that needs to be emphasised when you consider that Mourinho and Guardiola, the two most successful managers over the past decade, will try to improve Manchester United and Manchester City by spending in excess of £150million each.
Of course, Zidane walked into a dressing room crammed with brilliant players but that was no guarantee results would follow. He has consistently maintained the harmony and the numbers Real have subsequently produced are evidence of how successful he has been.
Ronaldo described his management of the squad as being ‘intelligent’ and that Zidane commands their respect, which is no small compliment when you realise how much he has been rotated. Ronaldo has missed 14 games this season, the highest number since he joined them in 2009.
Zidane has lost just four of his 58 La Liga matches and his team broke a club record by scoring in 44 consecutive games. Not even Miguel Munoz, who is regarded as Real’s greatest manager and was captain for their first two European Cup triumphs in 1956 and 1957, could match those statistics.
It helps, no doubt, that Zidane played for Madrid. He endured early difficulties with supporters when he arrived from Juventus, so when he speaks to his players he does it with authority. He knows what it takes to succeed and what will not be tolerated.
True, he might still be a novice as a manager but isn’t it a case that sometimes certain individuals are tailor-made for certain positions?
We might not get fixated about Zidane in the way we have done about Guardiola or Mourinho. He doesn’t have the charisma of Jurgen Klopp or the raw emotion of Antonio Conte and he can’t even match the experience and trophies of Max Allegri, who will be his opponent in Cardiff.
But we cannot overstate what he has achieved and what potentially beckons.
Madrid have not won La Liga and the European Cup in the same season since 1958 and should they beat Juventus, claims for Zidane to be regarded as the greatest figure in their history will be even stronger.
Above all, it would provide the conclusive answer to the opening question. What does he really do? He wins.