Zidane's five biggest achievements as Real Madrid boss

#4 Claiming his first European crown

Real Madrid v Club Atletico de Madrid - UEFA Champions League Final

Zidane’s collection of trophies as a player was virtually unmatched. When he turned out as a playmaker, he won all of the top prizes the game had to offer, from the World Cup to the Serie A title.

As a coach, then, it was only natural that he should start this fresh trophy collection in a spectacular manner. He did so by winning the Champions League, confirming the turnaround that had been hinted at in the league.

It was not an achievement short of drama, although a couple of 2-0 wins over Roma in the round of 16 did represent a pretty straightforward baptism in the European game for Zidane the coach.

Things rapidly grew more complicated for a Madrid side still feeling their way tentatively back to their best. A 2-0 defeat in Wolfsburg in the quarter-finals might have seen them eliminated, but they roared back to win the second leg 3-0, thereby setting up a date with Manchester City.

Yet to come under the guidance of great Barcelona foe Pep Guardiola, City succumbed to a streetwise performance from Madrid, who won by a single strike – an own goal – over two legs.

Then came the challenge of Atletico Madrid in the final. Diego Simeone’s men were by now well established as a ferociously difficult side to beat. Although Sergio Ramos opened the scoring after quarter of an hour, Atleti hit back late on, taking the game to extra-time and then penalties.

In a battle of two mentally tough sides, though, it was Real who came through, converting all their penalties to give Zidane the perfect conclusion to his first season in the dugout.