EDITOR’S LETTER

The last time Zinedine Zidane was on the cover was a little over two years ago when he was still in charge of Real Madrid’s second team, Castilla. He’d endured a torrid first season in management: not only did his young side underperform, he was also slapped with a three-month ban for failing to obtain the relevant coaching badges. That he wasn’t shown the door by Los Blancos owed everything to the club’s desire – bordering on desperation – for Zidane to eventually take charge of Madrid’s first team.

So when he finally got the call to take over from then-boss Rafael Benitez, it was a decision based more on hope than expectation. Everyone hoped he’d do well. No-one expected him to win back-to-back Champions Leagues, let alone start his third season as favourite to make it three on the bounce. Yet that’s exactly what he’s done. Turn to page 38 to find out how he’s gone about masterminding his, and Madrid’s, plan for world domination.

Away from the glitz and glamour of Real, David Wagner has impressed as manager of Huddersfield. We caught up with him this month to discuss biology, touchline celebrations and being drunk under the table by his best mate, Jurgen Klopp.