Real Madrid assistant manager Zinedine Zidane has revealed he has eyes on the top job at the Santiago Bernabeu one day, but is happy playing second fiddle to Carlo Ancelotti at the moment.
The 41-year-old previously worked as a club ambassador and presidential advisor under Jose Mourinho, but moved into the dug out when the Italian boss was named as the new coach in the summer. Zidane works alongside Englishman Paul Clement as one of Ancelotti’s assistants.
Speaking to RMC, the 1998 World Cup winner with France, said his aim is to keep learning with the idea of eventually becoming a manager.
“With what I’m looking at doing in the future, being assistant to Carlo Ancelotti is perfect. It’s good preparation for the rest of my career. I’m happy. It’s a job full of passion, difficult but interesting,” he stated.
“There are two assistants, one of which is Paul Clement, who prepares and takes training sessions. It’s very interesting to talk to him because he’s been doing that for 22 years. He explains things well to me. With Ancelotti, we talk more about tactics and the players.”
He also spoke about the difference between his roles under Mourinho and Ancelotti, saying his current job is much more hands on.
Zidane is quoted as saying: “With Mourinho, I wasn’t on the pitch, and wasn’t even involved in what happened on the pitch. I didn’t have any meetings with him about the team, about tactics, about what he wanted to put in place. Now, on the other hand, I have a real role. I have to tell Carlo Ancelotti how I see things.”
