Real Madrid legend Luis Figo believes former teammate Zinedine Zidane has plans of taking up the managerial hot seat at Madrid someday. Zidane, who currently coaches Real Madrid Castilla, has been touted as a possible replacement for under pressure manager Rafa Benitez. Figo has also cautioned Benitez not to count on the patience of the Madrid faithful.
Zidane must have intentions to take up the Real job: Figo
The former Portuguese winger thinks that Zidane nurtures an ambition to take up one of the most high-pressure jobs in modern football.
“I think so, it's one of his goals,” he said. “So if you want to be a coach and he's now coaching the second team.
“I think in his head it's the objective and the goal to one day to coach the first team. So I don't know. It's always depending on the opportunities – if they give you the responsibility or not.”
Figo also commented on Benitez’s current situation at Madrid.
“Madrid is a club where you don't have time. You always have to win. So it depends on the people who take the decision if they're going to give him more time or not.”
Benitez has struggled since being named Madrid coach in the wake of Carlo Ancelotti's sacking this summer. According to the rumours, Los Blancos president Florentino Perez feels that Benitez has completely lost the dressing room and is considering making a move.
Figo believes Guardiola will excel at his new club
The former Portugal international had played alongside Pep Guardiola at Barcelona in 2000 before making a move to Real Madrid. Now that Guardiola is one of the most sought after managers in the world, Figo believes that he will excel wherever he goes.
“Pep has his philosophy of football and I think he dies with that philosophy and he tries to implement that philosophy in the clubs that he's coached,” he explained. “I think when you arrive at that level of coach, there's not so many options in the projects of the top clubs.”
“So I think we can count with your fingers the clubs that he's going to have the option to coach. I don't think it's too difficult to guess where he's going to go,” he added.
Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea are all rumoured to be in the race for the manager and it is almost certain that he will move to the Premier league to take up the challenge.
