Zinedine Zidane and Real Madrid have kept a careful distance in recent years following a separation that was, by the Frenchman’s standards, acrimonious. There are signs that relations are improving though, as Kylian Mbappe lingers on the horizon.
In 2021, Zidane resigned surprisingly at the end of the season, penning an open letter to Real Madrid fans explaining that he did not feel he had the resources nor confidence of the club to keep going, which would see Carlo Ancelotti take over the following month.
While only Theo remains at the club of his four sons, there are signs that relations between club and former coach are improving, as per Diario AS. When French Federation President Noel Le Graet criticised Zidane, Real Madrid called this a ‘a lack of respect’ in a public statement. In recent weeks Zidane has collaborated with Jude Bellingham in an advertising campaign for Adidas, while he was also key in helping persuade Bellingham that joining the club was the right decision.
Next weekend, Zidane is now set to feature in a legends game against Porto alongside the likes of Iker Casillas and Roberto Carlos, a charity match at the Santiago Bernabeu, another sign of the thawing of relations.
This of course is occurring in the lead up to Real Madrid potentially signing Kylian Mbappe, a player Zidane has never hidden his desire to coach. It had looked as if Zidane might get to do so for France, but Didier Deschamps has renewed his contract until 2026. That is also the case for Carlo Ancelotti, and he has admitted he is ready to return to management, even if it doesn’t look likely to be in the Spanish or French capital in the immediate future.
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