Zidane reveals key to winning 3 Champions League titles with Real Madrid

The Frenchman led Los Blancos to a historic three European titles in a row between 2016 and 2018.

Zinedine Zidane has revealed the key behind his historic treble-winning European success with Real Madrid.

In his first-ever senior managerial role, Zidane pulled off one of the greatest coaching feats. He not only won the Champions League for Real Madrid at the first time of asking in 2016, but did so again in 2017 and 2018 to complete a remarkable run of three consecutive titles.

Now, over four years later, Zidane opened up on his three-peat success for the first time at the weekend, crediting the hard work and the players and coaches that surrounded him as the key factors.

“We worked hard, we had incredible players, and a team that followed me,” the former Los Blancos boss told Telefoot.

“I was responsible for a lot of things, but I had a great team behind me. Alone, it wouldn’t have been possible. I need to surround myself with people I feel comfortable with. If not, it can’t work.”

Will Zidane return to management?

It’s been a year now since Zidane vacated his role as Real Madrid manager for the second time in 2021.

While recent reports have distanced him from replacing Mauricio Pochettino as the Paris Saint-Germain coach for next season, the 49-year-old still intends to return to management.

He added: “I want to continue, I still have this flame, it’s my passion, football. I’m [almost] 50 years old, fulfilled, I’m happy, that’s the most important thing.”

One possible job Zidane could take is the role of the head coach for the French national team.

France’s current boss Didier Deschamps will be out of contract after the World Cup in Qatar at the end of this year. It’s unclear if he will sign a new deal after the tournament.