Zinedine Zidane Returns To Real Madrid Third Time?

Former Real Madrid coach, Zinedine Zidane. (Instagram @zidane)

JAKARTA - Coach Zinedine Zidane is rumored to be back in charge of Real Madrid. If the rumors become true, then Zidane will come back to the Santiago Bernabeu for the third time.

Zidane is a strong candidate to replace Carlo Ancelotti who will end his tenure next year. The Italian coach will handle the Brazilian national team who currently qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

Brazil itself is handled by interim coach Fernando Diniz. In addition to coaching Selecao, he is also still allowed to train at his club, Fluminense. Diniz was only appointed as interim coach while waiting for Ancelotti's arrival.

If the former AC Milan and Chelsea coach leaves, Madrid has not prepared a replacement. However, Zidane is a strong candidate and is believed to be back for the third time.

Previously, he coached Madrid's senior team in 2016-2018. Had resigned, Zidane returned to Madrid the following season, from 2019 to 2021.

His achievements were also special because he brought a team of three Champions League champions, two Spanish La Liga champions and other trophies such as the UEFA Super Cup, Club World Cup, and Supercopa de Espana.

His former colleague at Madrid Jose Maria Gutierrez who is familiarly called Guti supports if his former club invites Zidane again.

According to him, Zidane is most worthy of coaching Los Blancos. Moreover, he is still unemployed since leaving Madrid in 2021.

"If Madrid wants to achieve an achievement, I think he is the most appropriate. He has been the best coach at Real Madrid for the past few years," said Guti.

"He knows this club very well. He is also close to Florentino [Perez, club president]. Like Anceloti, he is the most appropriate person to deal with Madrid," he said.

Gudi is a player who has played at Los Merengues for a long time. He was a graduate of Madrid's academy and then joined the senior team in 1995.

Guli left Madrid in 2010 to join Besiktas before retiring in 2011.

During his 15 years in Madrid, the player who occupied the defensive midfielder played alongside a row of galacticos such as Zidane, Raul Gonzalez, Luis Figo, Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos to David Beckham.

According to Gudi, if he fails to bring back Zidane, Madrid can bring in Xabi Alonso, who is currently coaching Bayer Leverkusen. Previously, strong rumors said Alonso would become Madrid's coach.

Alonso, who has played in Madrid, has immediately skyrocketed since handling the German Bundesliga club in 2022.

Currently, Leverkusen is at the top of the Bundesliga standings. Like Zidane, Alonso has coached Madrid's academy.

"I think Xabi Alonso is also the right person to train in Madrid," said Guti.