Zidane ’s unique aura inspire s his star playe rs, says Kare mbe u
ZINEDINE Zidane’s remarkable run to three consecutive Champions League finals as Real Madrid coach should be no surprise because the footballing great “inspires success”, says his former France team-mate Christian Karembeu.
Karembeu, a double European Cup-winning midfielder with Real himself, won the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 with France alongside Zidane.
The Madrid boss is bidding to become the first coach to win the Champions League three times in a row when his side meet Liverpool tomorrow in Kiev.
“No, I’m not surprised, he inspires success,” said Karembeu.
“He is a hard worker, he hates to lose, he wants perfection, he wants quality and you can see Zidane’s prints on this Madrid team.
“The passing has to be good, the players have to be in the right position, you need to attack quickly, and you can see his influence on what this team does on the pitch.
“Of course, when you look at the names of the players you see the talent there, but talent alone does not bring you success,” he added.
“He’s a former footballer with knowledge and expertise, and that’s great for the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric.
“There are so many success stories with that man, he can inspire you and he can also boost the team,” said Karembeu.
“Zidane didn’ t change any players, it ’s more or less the same squad as before, but with his aura, his way of thinking and approach to everyone, he has delivered something positive and successful.”
Zidane has been lauded by his players for his handling of the dressing room and keeping his cool under pressure, something he has had to do a lot this season.
Real floundered in La Liga, finishing 17 points behind runaway winners Barcelona. LIVERPOOL have a “very unique and special individual” in manager Jurgen Klopp, according to former chief executive Ian Ayre.
All eyes will be on Kiev tomorrow as the Reds attempt to chalk up their sixth European crown against a Real Madrid side looking to wrap up their third in a row.
While Zinedine Zidane’s men were always among the favourites for this year’s crown, Liver- pool have come up on the outside thanks to the way Klopp has shaped his exciting, young team.
Few are prouder of the German’s work than the man pictured alongside him at his unveiling just over two and a half years ago, leaving boyhood Reds fan Ayre delighted.
“Jurgen is a very unique and special individual,” said Ayre.
“What became evident very quickly was how honest and without ego he was, and I think in this sport that’s quite unusual.
“He’s the sort of person who will defend his view but also listen to other people’s views.
“We could have good days and bad days, but we would always act as grown-ups and not let it get between us.
“We had a fantastic relationship and nobody’s more satisfied or pleased both for him and the club with what they’ve achieved this season already, regardless of the outcome on Saturday.
“He’s done everything Liverpool and the owners expected of him. He continues to move the club forwards and, genuinely, I think if you speak to anybody who works with him, whether it is on the business side or the football side, everybody has huge admiration for him.
“And he’s a top, top coach to work with. Anybody would do well to find a coach as good as him with the skillset and the personality he has.”
Ayre played a key role i n bringing Klopp to Anfield and secretly first met him in the United States — the place he will soon be calling home after being confirmed as CEO of Major League Soccer new boys Nashville.
He is travelling to Kiev for the Champions League final and, having been at Liverpool’s previous five European triumphs, is “hopeful that I can add number six” tomorrow.
“We were always conscious that we were trying to develop Liverpool in the best way we could with the funds that we had at our disposal, so it was about operating smart as a business,” Ayre said of his time at the club.
“Often we would come under criticism for buying young play-