Zinedine Zidane (foto: Getty Images)
Zinedine Zidane reflected on coaching Real Madrid’s golden generation, saying he often stayed silent during training while watching Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modrić, Toni Kroos, and Karim Benzema.
Zinedine Zidane shared a revealing insight into life on the Real Madrid bench, explaining how coaching some of football’s biggest stars often required little instruction.
In an interview with L’Equipe, the legendary French coach looked back on his time leading one of the most successful generations in the club’s history.
Zidane guided Real Madrid in two spells, from 2016 to 2018 and again from 2019 to 2021. During that period he won two La Liga titles and an extraordinary three Champions League trophies.
The former midfielder said the true level of elite footballers becomes clear during everyday work on the training pitch.
"You recognize great players in training. I understood this when I coached Real. I said nothing. I watched Luka Modrić, Toni Kroos, Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema train."
"I had nothing to tell them. I only watched them because they were all talented and top professionals."
That group formed the core of Real Madrid’s dominant era in Europe, winning three consecutive Champions League titles and establishing one of the most successful teams in modern football.
Zidane remains without a club since leaving Real Madrid after his second spell in charge. Reports in France suggest he already reached an agreement with the French Football Federation to become the next coach of the France national team.
The plan would see Zidane take over after the next World Cup, when current coach Didier Deschamps is expected to step down.