Zidane Reflects on His Coaching Tenure at Real Madrid

Over the course of two terms as the manager of Real Madrid, Zinedine Zidane established himself as one of the most accomplished figures in the club’s rich history.

Insights from Zidane

In a recent discussion on Hamidou Msaidie’s YouTube channel, Zidane emphasized the importance of player support. He stated, “At Real Madrid, we prioritized being available for our players. This is, in my opinion, the foundation of a strong team: being there for them.”

Zidane continued by highlighting the essence of understanding in the coaching profession, asserting, “If one fails to grasp this concept, longevity in this line of work becomes challenging. Our role is to support the players; it’s crucial to demonstrate this support in tangible ways.”

The Importance of Respect and Team Harmony

Furthermore, Zidane remarked, “For the locker room to resonate with your vision and implementation, it is vital that the players have respect for you. Without a harmonious agreement on everything you propose—whether it’s training methods or strategic decisions—something will always feel amiss. During my tenure, I believe the players truly enjoyed their experience at every level.”

He elaborated on the psychological and emotional aspects of coaching, stating, “We instilled confidence in the team, especially after a challenging phase where they needed to restore their self-esteem and fitness. We established a structure that helped them regain this confidence. When players are competitive and eager to practice and compete, winning three Champions League titles becomes a natural outcome.”