Zidane: Carlo has evolved

Zinedine Zidane hopes to become a head Coach one day, but for now is happy learning at Real Madrid under Carlo Ancelotti, who he says ‘has evolved’.

The 41-year-old has begun life in the dugout this season with Los Blancos and admits that he does have specific goals in mind for his second career in football.

“I dream of being a Coach of the French national team someday,” Zidane has told reporters today.

“This is not something that I want right now. It is something for the future.

“I’ve always been a patient man and working in Madrid with Carlo is a great way to learn before I start as a head Coach, which is my goal.”

The Frenchman explained why he has decided to return to the game, seven years after retiring as a player.

 “I did not choose to be a Coach when I finished my playing career, but over the past six or seven years, I began to feel that I wanted to return to this fantastic sport.

“I always felt comfortable in the field and that is where I feel I can be more helpful to other people and the players.

“I spoke to many people and assessed my options and made the decision to return to football.

“Now I am one of two assistants. Paul Clement is concerned with the physical preparation, and I am more about talking with the team, its structure and working with the players.

“Everything is done in parallel with Ancelotti, but we each have our own role. Am I enjoying it? Of course. It is a good experience to start with, because it is what I want to do later in my life.”

Zidane’s role under Ancelotti is his second spell working with the Italian, on from having played under the tactician for two years at Juventus over a decade ago.

“I have worked with many great Coaches and I have taken things from each, and it is for this season that I believe my skills as a Coach are complete.

“Carlo has evolved. He was a young Coach when I worked with him for the first time, now he has much more experience.

“It is a great experience working with a guy like Carlo, who is a fantastic Coach for me to build on what I want to do in the future.”

Zidane was asked of comparisons being made between Isco and himself.

“There have been many comparisons with Isco, but it has happened before, it happened when I began my career.

“People compared me to Platini for the position we both played and the connection with Juventus.

“It has happened before and will continue to happen.

“The current team? There are many good players here and we have a very strong bond. There is a good harmony in the club.

“There is a solid base of experienced players and it is complimented by the young new Spanish talent. There is always the same pressure on Madrid, we are competing in three competitions and the ambition is to win all three.”

Attention at Madrid is also on Gareth Bale’s early acclimatisation into life at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Bale

“He is well integrated into the club and has been very well received by everyone. He was lacking a bit physical preparation upon arrival, so initially his physical condition has been somewhat delicate. The only thing now is that he has not trained as much as the rest of the team.

“He has a lot of determination and has now begun training. He will be ready.”

Tags Ancelotti Bale France Isco Zidane
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