Sign of a Real leader
Under-pressure Zidane pens contract extension until 2020
MADRID: Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane confirmed that he has signed a contract extension which will keep him at the European champions until 2020.
“It’s signed,” said the French star after his side drew 2-2 with Numancia to progress to the quarter- finals of the Spanish King’s Cup 5- 2 on aggregate on Wednesday.
After a dream start at Real, with eight trophies out of a possible 10, Zidane has endured a tough season with his side 16 points behind Barcelona in the La Liga title race.
And the 45-year-old cautioned: “I’m enjoying what I do every day, because that’s the way it is. I can’t imagine myself as a coach in two, three years, because things are not like that.
“I know how it goes, nothing more, even with this contract it does not change anything.”
On Wednesday, Real fielded an almost unrecognisable team and struggled into the King’s Cup lasteight.
Zidane could afford to rest his superstars with one eye on La Liga and the Champions League last 16 with a clash against Paris St Germain next month.
However, they were far from convincing at the Bernabeu.
Lucas Vazquez scored both of Real’s goals after the 11th and 59th minutes.
But on both occasions, their modest visitors fought back thanks to a brace from Guillermo on the stroke of half-time and then after 82 minutes.
Numancia ended the game with 10 men after captain Dani Calvo was red- carded in the dying moments.
Leganes, a modest club from the Madrid suburbs, reached the quarter-finals of the King’s Cup for the first time in their 89-year existence.
Despite losing 2-1 at Villarreal, who are currently sixth in La Liga, Leganes progressed on away goals having won the first leg 1-0.
Moroccan international Nabil El Zhar scored the crucial away goal for mid-table Leganes on the halfhour mark.
In the night’s other early second- leg tie, last season’s runners-up Alaves downed third division Formentera 2- 0 for a 5- 1 aggregate win.