ZIDANE’S SHOCKER AFFECTS REAL STARS
Without their favourite manager, Ronaldo, Bale have to rethink options
AFTER three consecutive Champions League triumphs, Zidane stood down and when the world’s most successful club is forced to reshuffle, everybody else holds their breath to see what damage is done.
Zidane’s departure means Real Madrid will be on the hunt for a new coach, players at the club will be worried about who will replace him, and others who are interested in a move to the Santiago Bernabeu may need to rethink their plans.
Here are some of football’s key figures who may be affected by Zidane’s decision to step down while sitting on top of the world.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar — The Portuguese striker was already hinting at a move from Real Madrid moments after Madrid won their 13th Champions League title in Kiev and his desperation to depart will grow stronger now.
Zidane’s treatment of Ronaldo pleased the Portuguese forward and he will forever associate the coach with his recent personal success, moving level with Lionel Messi on five Ballon d’Ors.
Ronaldo has a problem with Real Madrid’s board, although it is difficult to see how he can find a way out, because few sides will be able to afford either the transfer fee president Florentino Perez will demand, or Ronaldo’s wages.
Of the sides that could afford him, perhaps only Paris SaintGermain is a viable route, given Madrid want to sign Neymar from them.
Zidane’s departure may push Ronaldo over the edge and if the striker kicks and screams hard enough, it would add more fuel to the fire of what would be the mother of all swap deals.
Eden Hazard and Antonio Conte— Links between Real Madrid and Eden Hazard never seem to cease. The Belgian would fit like a glove at the Bernabeu and Perez knows a Galactico signing would take the club forward, as part of the reason Zidane is leaving is that Madrid’s old guard are, despite their continued success, reaching the end of the line.
However Hazard, who is comfortable at Chelsea but could be tempted by Madrid’s overtures, may choose to wait and see who takes over in the Spanish capital before making his mind up. After all, current Chelsea coach Antonio Conte is one of the candidates to replace Zidane.
Hazard scored the winner in the FA Cup final but has not enjoyed himself fully under Conte, with the coach’s defensive tactics not allowing him to run free and express his creativity.
Chelsea want Hazard to sign on and if they bring in Napoli coach Maurizio Sarri and Conte goes to Madrid, he may well do so.
Gareth Bale— Over the last few months it seemed Welsh star Bale was destined for a return to the Premier League, or at least a departure from Madrid.
The forward became a reserve for Zidane to use in meaningless La Liga games, while others took starring roles in Champions League clashes.
Bale started just one of Madrid’s Champions League knock-out matches this season, and even in that he was taken off at half-time against Juventus.
Of course, appearing from the bench in the Kiev final he helped blow away Liverpool, but issued a strong come-and-get-me plea to the television cameras after the game.
However with Zidane leaving, Bale may think twice about his future. If a new coach comes in and makes him the key man, he may be able to enjoy a Bernabeu rebirth.
While Bale has never fitted in fully at Madrid, struggling with the language and appearing an isolated figure at times, during the past few months he has hit some of his best form at the club. Zidane’s shock exit may cause Bale to rethink his options.
Arsene Wenger and Mauricio Pochettino— Former Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger and Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino’s names have already been thrown in the ring to replace Zidane.
One of them is distinctly more available than the other, with French coach Wenger’s departure from the Gunners after 22 years coming at the perfect moment, if he goes on to replace his compatriot Zidane at Madrid.
Pochettino’s situation is far more complex, alas, for both him and Perez, who would like to appoint the Argentine coach.
Having signed a new contract with Tottenham last week until 2023, it will be extremely hard for Madrid to sign the former Espanyol coach, who has often expressed his admiration for Madrid and dislike of Barcelona.
Spanish media claim that his contract has a Madrid clause in it which will allow him to join the European champions, but Tottenham deny that is true.
Didier Deschamps— Just like Pochettino, Didier Deschamps put pen to paper on a new deal. In October he signed on to stay in charge of the French national team until 2020.
However there is a lot of expectation weighing on France ahead of the World Cup. If Les Bleus do not at least reach the semi-finals, then Deschamps could be removed, now the French Football Federation see a ready made replacement for him.
Zidane was bound to take over France one day, but being liberated now increases the pressure on Deschamps ahead of the summer showdown in Russia.
Florentino Perez — The Madrid president admitted he was stunned by Zidane telling him on Wednesday that he was planning to leave the club, and he cut a weak figure alongside the Frenchman at his goodbye press conference.
Puppet-master Perez is used to sacking coaches, not having them walk out on him, with Zidane reversing what has become the norm.
If Ronaldo, Bale and even Karim Benzema, who was a favourite of Zidane’s, walk away, not only will Real Madrid’s chief have to sort out a new coach but he’ll also have to do major reconstruction on the squad. Perez and his chequebook have a big summer ahead of them.
PS… Barcelona —Such is the rivalry between Madrid and Barcelona that the Catalans will be affected by this news too.
Zidane was a gentle coach, someone who never looked to provoke and anger those in the opposite corner.
If he is replaced by someone who likes to create trouble, who wants to stir up bad blood, a la Jose Mourinho when he was at the helm in Madrid, Zidane’s decision could have a transformative effect on the whole of Spanish football and the Clasico rivalry.