Look, I didn't plan to write my last piece right before Zidane ceremoniously announced his return to the Bernabeu, and I don't know if this solves a lot of the problems I outlined in Madrid, but man does it make things so much brighter. Zidane returns as a conquering hero, and does so with Florentino Perez for the first time in a long time submissive to his manager's wills.
Apparently he came back with the support of the board, not Perez, and with the backing that he will get to buy his players, and get a lot of money to do so, the result of Madrid explicitly not doing that the last couple seasons. I still don't blame Madrid for their moves after the 2017 season to go younger, like bringing in Ceballos, Odriozola, Vinicius, etc., but after losing Ronaldo and them doing nothing to replace him, it was obvious a sea change was needed.
It remains to be seen what Zidane's plans are for the offseason. The names and rumors have already started flying (Kante, Pogba, Mbappe, Hazard, on and on and on). Something will happen. Many have predicted Madrid match their 2009 profligacy in the transfer market. There will probably be some exoduses as well - Bale seems as good as gone with this news. Whatever the result, Madrid will look much different in 2019-20, the first year in a while where they will try to retake what is theres after letting it all so easily fall away.
I'll have more when the moves are made. Right now, all that Madrid needs to focus on is stay in a top-3 spot to guarantee them a Champions League appearance. Also in bringing some stability back into the fold.
One weird position I've seen people bring up is what is in it for Zidane, to potentially ruin a legacy of three Champions League Wins, but to me, let's remember who this is. Zidane was a legend before he coached a game. He only added to that legend by, and let's not lose sight of this, WINNING THREE STRAIGHT CHAMPIONS LEAGUES. Before Zidane, no one had won two straight, with him, Madrid wins three straight.
Now, after seeing the team go to shit without him, he can step back, mold a new team, and potentially lead them to glory. If he wins one more, and maybe adds a La Liga, just sign this guy up for football Mt, Rushmore. I mean, if Peyton Manning took over last year as coach of the Colts, and with him as coach they won three straight Super Bowls, he could go 0-16 for three seasons and the impact to his legacy would be bumpkis. It's no different with the genius.
Zidane as coach should be fun. If anything, his regal frame just felt so right on the touchline of the Bernabeu. Part of me was hoping he would take over Juventus - the other club of his history - and reunite with Ronaldo and win a Champions League for the club that he couldn't do so as a player. But this is better, this works better, this is where Zidane needs to be, and this is where he will be.
Apparently he came back with the support of the board, not Perez, and with the backing that he will get to buy his players, and get a lot of money to do so, the result of Madrid explicitly not doing that the last couple seasons. I still don't blame Madrid for their moves after the 2017 season to go younger, like bringing in Ceballos, Odriozola, Vinicius, etc., but after losing Ronaldo and them doing nothing to replace him, it was obvious a sea change was needed.
It remains to be seen what Zidane's plans are for the offseason. The names and rumors have already started flying (Kante, Pogba, Mbappe, Hazard, on and on and on). Something will happen. Many have predicted Madrid match their 2009 profligacy in the transfer market. There will probably be some exoduses as well - Bale seems as good as gone with this news. Whatever the result, Madrid will look much different in 2019-20, the first year in a while where they will try to retake what is theres after letting it all so easily fall away.
I'll have more when the moves are made. Right now, all that Madrid needs to focus on is stay in a top-3 spot to guarantee them a Champions League appearance. Also in bringing some stability back into the fold.
One weird position I've seen people bring up is what is in it for Zidane, to potentially ruin a legacy of three Champions League Wins, but to me, let's remember who this is. Zidane was a legend before he coached a game. He only added to that legend by, and let's not lose sight of this, WINNING THREE STRAIGHT CHAMPIONS LEAGUES. Before Zidane, no one had won two straight, with him, Madrid wins three straight.
Now, after seeing the team go to shit without him, he can step back, mold a new team, and potentially lead them to glory. If he wins one more, and maybe adds a La Liga, just sign this guy up for football Mt, Rushmore. I mean, if Peyton Manning took over last year as coach of the Colts, and with him as coach they won three straight Super Bowls, he could go 0-16 for three seasons and the impact to his legacy would be bumpkis. It's no different with the genius.
Zidane as coach should be fun. If anything, his regal frame just felt so right on the touchline of the Bernabeu. Part of me was hoping he would take over Juventus - the other club of his history - and reunite with Ronaldo and win a Champions League for the club that he couldn't do so as a player. But this is better, this works better, this is where Zidane needs to be, and this is where he will be.
