Could Zidane become the Ferguson & Wenger of Real Madrid?

Luka Modric has backed the ‘untouchable’ Zinedine Zidane to emulate football’s most famous longest-serving managers at Real Madrid.

Real Madrid certainly have seen their fair share of managers come and go in recent years, including Zidane. Nobody will forget the way he resigned just days after winning a third consecutive Champions League in 2018; only to return a year later for a second spell.

The Frenchman has since added a LaLiga and Spanish Supercup title to his glowering haul of 11 major honors.

Zinedine Zidane’s managerial record for Real Madrid:

– 213 matches
– 144 wins
– 42 draws
– 27 losses
520 goals scored, 223 allowed

Titles:
• 3x UCL
• 2x Spanish Super Cup
• 2x UEFA Super Cup
• 2x Fifa Club World Cup
• 2x La Liga

One of the best managers in the modern era pic.twitter.com/HXBSL9xLgg

— Real Madrid Analysis (@rmdanalysis) September 30, 2020

But while ‘Zizou’ ticks all the boxes in Madrid right now, will he still be around in five or 10 years’ time? It’s no secret Florentino Perez has little patience with managers, having appointed seven different coaches since being re-elected as club president in 2009.

Manuel Pellegrini, Jose Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti, Rafael Benitez, Julen Lopetegui, and Santiago Solari have all come and gone.

But Modric believes Zidane is in it for the long run, like Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United and Arsene Wenger with Arsenal.

“Mourinho was key in my signing for Madrid,” the Croatian playmaker told El Partidazo de Cope.

“I am sorry I only worked with him for a year. I will always be grateful to Mourinho for taking me to Real Madrid. He is tough and strong, but he is honest and always tells the truth to your face.

“Ancelotti is a spectacular coach. And even more as a person. We played very well with him. We had two spectacular years with him, winning the Champions League and the Copa del Rey, playing great football. I still talk to him from time to time.

Modric says Zidane can be Real Madrid's very own Ferguson or Wenger 👑 pic.twitter.com/c2rmJFk9H4

— Goal (@goal) October 6, 2020

“Benitez hasn’t done well at Madrid but he’s a great coach. That’s football. Not every football coach arrives at a team and has success. I did not have any problem with him.

“The outside of the boot thing was something that happened in a training session, but it was nothing, we didn’t get on poorly.

“Zizou is a top manager. What he has done with us over the years is unrepeatable. It gives me the feeling that people do not appreciate him as a coach, he is always questioned. He’s one of the best! I wish that all of the world saw him as untouchable at Madrid.

“When you listen on TV or to the radio there are complaints and criticisms of Zidane. There are some criticisms that don’t even make sense. He’s a spectacular coach. The way he fits us is like a glove. He is ideal for Real Madrid. Zidane could be like Ferguson or Wenger in England.”