THE BEAUTIFUL GAME⚽
BACK FROM THE SHADOWS
Zidane left Madrid having delivered success that was unprecedented in the modern era. The days of teams retaining the European Cup were long gone. Nobody had done it in the Champions League era. He did. And then he did it again, defying history and maths by winning more Champions League trophies than he had spent years in charge.
The Frenchman won three consecutive Champions Leagues in his previous stint at Real Madrid, but things began to unravel almost as soon as he was gone. The European Super Cup was surrendered to neighbours Atletico Madrid in the first game of Julen Lopetegui's brief reign and it only got worse from there. Lopetegui was sacked in October but the problems continued. Any hope of winning La Liga was gone soon after.
The nadir came last week when, after Santi Solari oversaw back-to-back defeats to Barcelona in the Copa del Rey, Madrid were humiliated in their own beloved Bernabeu by Ajax. The Dutch club turned back the clock let alone reversed the natural order of things with their 4-1 win - ending Madrid's long reign as champions of Europe.
But what does Zizou's return mean for the players?
GARETH BALE
It's no secret that Bale was not on good terms with Zidane at the end of last season. On form Bale deserved to start that Champions League final but communication between the two had already broken down and he was on the bench in Kiev.
Zidane is keen to bring in Eden Hazard and work with youngsters Vinicius and Brahim Diaz but Bale is on a contract until 2022 and no club in Europe could afford to match his wages. Bridges might have to be rebuilt.
Gareth Bale will have to build some bridges with Zidane in the coming weeks at Real Madrid. The pair did not have a good relationship during the Frenchman's first spell at the club
THIBAUT COURTOIS
Zidane is a big Keylor Navas fan. He refused the club's idea of signing Kepa Arrizabalaga just over a year ago to protect Navas.
He also has his own son Luka at the club and talented Ukraine keeper Andriy Lunin out on loan at Leganes.
Courtois is on a contract until 2024 so he can hardly be jettisoned but the club cannot go into next season with four keepers who all need to be playing. An with Courtois' poor stats for Los Blancos, Navas is favourite to return inbetween the sticks.
MARCELO
The Brazilian had an excellent relationship with Zidane. He is another on a deal until 2022. He will need to sit down with Zidane and decide if he wants to leave – as he did under both Lopetegui and Solari – or if he is now set on staying.
There is a market for him in Italy. Both he and the club may yet both see a summer departure as the best for all involved.
SERGIO RAMOS
The captain stays. Which would not have been the case had Jose Mourinho returned. He will be in his last year at the end of this season however. He is still very hard to replace and will probably be renewed.
RAPHAEL VARANE
One of Zidane's favourite, Varane is playing for Real Madrid and not Manchester United because of the French coach calling him to make sure he signed back in 2011. He definitely stays.
ISCO
Despite the idea that he is one of Zidane's favourites, he was actually only the 12th-most-used player during Zidane's time in charge.
He will certainly sense a new start with Solari gone but he has a disciplinary matter still hanging over him after falling out with the Argentine.
He does have a long contract so should stay unless a huge offer from Italy turns the club's head.
LUKA MODRIC
Zidane wants him to stay. It's still not clear if he has yet signed his new contract until 2021 but in these long empty weeks stretching out ahead the club are likely to make a big thing of him putting pen to paper.
DANI CEBALLOS
Zidane barely played him in the 2017-18 season. His high-energy game might attract Premier League suitors. The new coach is likely to want him moved on.
MARCO ASENSIO
This could be a difference of opinion between club and coach. Zidane has always been a fan but Real Madrid feel the 23-year-old has not really pushed on this year and know he has plenty of suitors. His future could depend on who comes in for him. Will probably stay.
KARIM BENZIMA
Zidane wants another striker signed but Benzema will still be a major part of things next season. He has the backing of the incoming coach and the president and he is one of the few who have not let the club down this season.
TONI KROOS
He has not had the best of years but come next pre-season he ought to be part of Zidane's new midfield.
MARCUS LLORENTE
Zidane hardly played him last season and later admitted he was wrong to overlook the young midfielder, who will feature far more this time.
Over To The Returning Loanees...
JAMES RODRIGUEZ
Zidane's appointment was bad news for the Colombian international who is due back from his two-year loan at Bayern Munich.
The two did not get on at Madrid and Zidane is unlikely to want him to still be in the squad next season.
The end result could be Madrid dropping the current €42m (£36m) asking price for Bayern to keep him.
MATEO KOVACIC
Zidane once gave him the unenviable task in a Clasico of marking Sergio Busquets when Barcelona were starting their moves and then picking up Lionel Messi when they were trying to finish them. Not surprisingly he failed. The relationship is not great and if Chelsea's ban on registering players stops them signing him then Madrid will have to find him a club.
Also staying: Navas, Casemiro, Lucas Vazquez, Dani Carvajal, Alvaro Odriozola, Nacho, Sergio Reguilon
Likely to leave: Vallejo, Mariano, and returning loanees Borja Mayoral and Theo Hernandez.
Photo Of The Day
For just the third time in Champions League history, four teams from England have qualified for the quarter finals.
The Beautiful Game ⚽
Post By: Wisdom Joseph
Facebook: Wisdom Joseph
Instagram: Wizflames
Zidane left Madrid having delivered success that was unprecedented in the modern era. The days of teams retaining the European Cup were long gone. Nobody had done it in the Champions League era. He did. And then he did it again, defying history and maths by winning more Champions League trophies than he had spent years in charge.
The Frenchman won three consecutive Champions Leagues in his previous stint at Real Madrid, but things began to unravel almost as soon as he was gone. The European Super Cup was surrendered to neighbours Atletico Madrid in the first game of Julen Lopetegui's brief reign and it only got worse from there. Lopetegui was sacked in October but the problems continued. Any hope of winning La Liga was gone soon after.
The nadir came last week when, after Santi Solari oversaw back-to-back defeats to Barcelona in the Copa del Rey, Madrid were humiliated in their own beloved Bernabeu by Ajax. The Dutch club turned back the clock let alone reversed the natural order of things with their 4-1 win - ending Madrid's long reign as champions of Europe.
But what does Zizou's return mean for the players?
GARETH BALE
It's no secret that Bale was not on good terms with Zidane at the end of last season. On form Bale deserved to start that Champions League final but communication between the two had already broken down and he was on the bench in Kiev.
Zidane is keen to bring in Eden Hazard and work with youngsters Vinicius and Brahim Diaz but Bale is on a contract until 2022 and no club in Europe could afford to match his wages. Bridges might have to be rebuilt.
Gareth Bale will have to build some bridges with Zidane in the coming weeks at Real Madrid. The pair did not have a good relationship during the Frenchman's first spell at the club
THIBAUT COURTOIS
Zidane is a big Keylor Navas fan. He refused the club's idea of signing Kepa Arrizabalaga just over a year ago to protect Navas.
He also has his own son Luka at the club and talented Ukraine keeper Andriy Lunin out on loan at Leganes.
Courtois is on a contract until 2024 so he can hardly be jettisoned but the club cannot go into next season with four keepers who all need to be playing. An with Courtois' poor stats for Los Blancos, Navas is favourite to return inbetween the sticks.
MARCELO
The Brazilian had an excellent relationship with Zidane. He is another on a deal until 2022. He will need to sit down with Zidane and decide if he wants to leave – as he did under both Lopetegui and Solari – or if he is now set on staying.
There is a market for him in Italy. Both he and the club may yet both see a summer departure as the best for all involved.
SERGIO RAMOS
The captain stays. Which would not have been the case had Jose Mourinho returned. He will be in his last year at the end of this season however. He is still very hard to replace and will probably be renewed.
RAPHAEL VARANE
One of Zidane's favourite, Varane is playing for Real Madrid and not Manchester United because of the French coach calling him to make sure he signed back in 2011. He definitely stays.
ISCO
Despite the idea that he is one of Zidane's favourites, he was actually only the 12th-most-used player during Zidane's time in charge.
He will certainly sense a new start with Solari gone but he has a disciplinary matter still hanging over him after falling out with the Argentine.
He does have a long contract so should stay unless a huge offer from Italy turns the club's head.
LUKA MODRIC
Zidane wants him to stay. It's still not clear if he has yet signed his new contract until 2021 but in these long empty weeks stretching out ahead the club are likely to make a big thing of him putting pen to paper.
DANI CEBALLOS
Zidane barely played him in the 2017-18 season. His high-energy game might attract Premier League suitors. The new coach is likely to want him moved on.
MARCO ASENSIO
This could be a difference of opinion between club and coach. Zidane has always been a fan but Real Madrid feel the 23-year-old has not really pushed on this year and know he has plenty of suitors. His future could depend on who comes in for him. Will probably stay.
KARIM BENZIMA
Zidane wants another striker signed but Benzema will still be a major part of things next season. He has the backing of the incoming coach and the president and he is one of the few who have not let the club down this season.
TONI KROOS
He has not had the best of years but come next pre-season he ought to be part of Zidane's new midfield.
MARCUS LLORENTE
Zidane hardly played him last season and later admitted he was wrong to overlook the young midfielder, who will feature far more this time.
Over To The Returning Loanees...
JAMES RODRIGUEZ
Zidane's appointment was bad news for the Colombian international who is due back from his two-year loan at Bayern Munich.
The two did not get on at Madrid and Zidane is unlikely to want him to still be in the squad next season.
The end result could be Madrid dropping the current €42m (£36m) asking price for Bayern to keep him.
MATEO KOVACIC
Zidane once gave him the unenviable task in a Clasico of marking Sergio Busquets when Barcelona were starting their moves and then picking up Lionel Messi when they were trying to finish them. Not surprisingly he failed. The relationship is not great and if Chelsea's ban on registering players stops them signing him then Madrid will have to find him a club.
Also staying: Navas, Casemiro, Lucas Vazquez, Dani Carvajal, Alvaro Odriozola, Nacho, Sergio Reguilon
Likely to leave: Vallejo, Mariano, and returning loanees Borja Mayoral and Theo Hernandez.
Photo Of The Day
For just the third time in Champions League history, four teams from England have qualified for the quarter finals.
The Beautiful Game ⚽
Post By: Wisdom Joseph
Facebook: Wisdom Joseph
Instagram: Wizflames
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