It appears that one of the world’s greatest all-time footballers, Zinedine Zidane, does not have the necessary coaching qualification to take over from Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid.
The former France international has been working on getting his Uefa pro badge, but according to AS he has yet to complete the 390-hour course and therefore cannot take charge of a Primera Division side.
Real Madrid’s search for someone to replace Mourinho has hit one obstacle after another. Despite knowing for months that Mourinho was going to Chelsea, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is no closer to hiring a manager than he was six months ago.
Perez’s first choice is Paris Saint-Germain boss Carlo Ancelotti. But he is under contract for another season, and PSG will not let him go until they find a suitable replacement. And that is the holdup.
PSG want Arsene Wenger, but he is staying at Arsenal for at least another season. Their next choice was Director of Football, Leonardo, but he was suspended for nine months by the French authorities for pushing a referee. PSG then wanted Guus Hiddink, but he is staying at Anzhi, and the latest name is Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas.
It appears that Zidane was plan B for Madrid, and it is unclear who is plan C. Rafa Benitez would have loved the job, but Perez was too focused on Ancelotti so Rafa went to Napoli.
If Madrid cannot land Ancelotti, the only big name available who could handle a club the size of Real Madrid is former Man City boss Roberto Mancini. It is unclear though, whether Mancini would be happy with having Zidane above him in a director of football role though considering the problems he had with that at City.
Even if Mancini went along with Zizou in this role, it would be a major risk for Madrid to give such an important role to someone without anyone actual experience.
Yes Zidane’s playing pedigree is beyond argument. But can he look after after transfers and contracts?
This is a huge summer for Real with Gareth Bale, Luis Suarez, Edinson Cavani, Robert Lewandowski, Marco Verratti all reported transfer targets, and Gonzalo Higuain still expected to leave for Juventus.
Add in the issue of signing Cristiano Ronaldo, the reported target of a €100 million bid from Monaco, and Xabi Alonso to new contracts needs to be addressed.
Perez needs to get his coach and director of football in place before he gets down to the business of signing Suarez and Bale. So expect those transfer stories to continue to generate headlines for another month or so.
