Zinedine Zidane has signed on with Real Madrid until 2018 as their manager. The Frenchman, who took over from Rafa Benitez last month, hadn’t signed an official contract until now, opting to focus on first team activities before discussing monetary terms with Real Madrid.
According to Spanish outlet Marca, Zidane and his backroom staff have all put pen to paper, almost a month after the Frenchman was appointed following the sacking of Rafa Benitez by Real Madrid. The former Galactico took over first team duties with immediate effect, but chose to defer contract talks as money was not his prority, according to the report.
Zidane was already on Real Madrid’s payroll, as prior to taking over as first-team coach, he was in charge of Real Madrid’s Castilla side. The newly signed contract no doubt includes a massive payrise for himself and his advisory team, that ought to keep Zidane at the club until 30th June, 2018.
Perez reveals Zidane keenness
Earlier, Real Madrid President, Florentino Perez had revealed that it did not take much for him to convince Zidane to take charge of the Madrid giants. The Spaniard spoke about Zidane’s keenness to take up the hotseat at the Santiago Bernabeu, saying “[He] said yes immediately, without a moment's thought".
“He made it so clear that I knew he was ready for this new and exciting challenge.”
Perez also revealed that despite just a five year playing career at the club, Zidane is afforded the same status as club legend Alfredo di Stefano by the Bernabeu faithful, saying “People here just love him. Lots of them compare him with Di Stefano in terms of his importance. I saw Di Stefano play and now many new generations can say: I saw Zidane play.”
Zidane’s good start to managerial life
Despite his lack of managerial experience at the tp level, Zidane has made a storming start to his nascent managerial career, with the only blip being the 1-1 draw away to Real Betis, as Madrid have racked up convincing wins in the other three games he has been in charge of.
The Frenchman’s new setup has seen them entertain the Bernabeu, scoring 16 goals in three games at the famous arena, while only conceding once. With only four games gone, Zidane already looks to have a settled starting XI, and has been roundly praised by Luka Modric, Cristiano Ronaldo and James Rodriguez for his changes to the Madrid setup after Rafa Benitez’s sacking.
With a contract that will keep him here until 2018, the players are sure to have a more positive outlook on life under Zidane, as they enter his second month in charge.
