90min

Zinedine Zidane Reveals When He Could Stop Coaching

By Grey Whitebloom

Zinedine Zidane has opened up about the pressure management brings
Zinedine Zidane has opened up about the pressure management brings / Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images
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Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane has warned that he does not envisage his future in management lasting for 20 more years.

The 1998 Ballon d'Or winner returned for his second spell as manager of Real Madrid in March 2019 after leading the club he once played for to three consecutive Champions League titles.

Zidane's side are locked in a tight La Liga title race with perennial rivals Barcelona this season. However, in a press conference ahead of Real Madrid's clash with Espanyol on Sunday, Zidane revealed the toll management has taken on him already after less than five years as a first-team coach.

Zidane spent a season and a half as manager of Real Madrid's B team before taking the top job in January 2016
Zidane spent a season and a half as manager of Real Madrid's B team before taking the top job in January 2016 / Soccrates Images/Getty Images

The legendary Frenchman explained, as quoted by Marca: "I was a better footballer than a coach. But there were better ones, although I'm happy with what I did, but with me it's going to be like that.

"I'm not going to coach for 20 years; I don't know how many [I will coach for]. I don't plan anything, what encourages me is the day to day. Then I'll do other things. In my head I've always been a footballer; I played 18 or 19 years and when they asked me if I was going to coach I said no. In the end I was, but it wears you down.

"I'm lucky to be able to be at this club and coach here, although I don't like the word luck very much because in life you have to believe and enjoy yourself, until when I don't care.

"But as far as players are concerned, I am lucky to be able to coach the best, because I am at the best club in the world. I am enjoying the matches and even more in the training sessions, because there it's the best."

However, Zidane did add that he remains happy in his current role.

Zidane is closing in on his second La Liga title as manager of Real Madrid
Zidane is closing in on his second La Liga title as manager of Real Madrid / Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images

"No one should interpret what I say.

"The reality is that I'm at the best team in the world and I'm fine. I'm in it every day. Here, when I lose a game I am criticised, and that does not change anything. Now we're winning, but we haven't achieved anything. I tell the players to keep going, because it's going to make a difference. We only focus on what we can control.

"My future is the least of my worries here."

Zidane's Los Blancos side can go two points clear at the top of La Liga if they beat Espanyol on Sunday night, following Barcelona's 2-2 draw at Celta Vigo on Saturday.