Zinedine Zidane is set to be appointed as the new manager of Real Madrid. He will begin training on Tuesday, according to reports.
A comeback is in the air.
Zinedine Zidane, the French manager who left Real Madrid at the end of the last season, merely days after leading them to their third consecutive Champions League title, is set to re-join the side.
Spanish media outlet COPE, and Sky’s Guillem Balague have now confirmed the second-coming of Zidane as the Real Madrid boss.
The Frenchman will begin training on Tuesday, according to reports.
Zinedine Zidane to join Real Madrid:
Zidane joined Real Madrid to replace Rafael Benitez in 2015. He led the Los Blancos to three Champions League titles during his time at the club, and lifted the La Liga title with the side in 2017.
After his departure, Real Madrid have struggled immensely throughout the season. Cristiano Ronaldo’s transfer to Juventus further aggravated the side’s concerns, as the team underwent the worst goalless run in its history.
Real Madrid parted ways with Julen Lopetegui after a crushing 5-1 loss to Barcelona. His replacement, Santiago Solari failed to inspire Real Madrid as the team entered the business end of the season.
In the last two weeks, Real Madrid were knocked out of the Copa del Rey and the Champions League, and have potentially lost the La Liga title to their arch-rivals Barcelona for the second time in a row.
There had been reports of Jose Mourinho coming back to Santiago Bernabeu for a second stint. However, COPE has now confirmed that Zinedine Zidane will assume the managerial role at the club for the second time in his career.
The French manager will take charge of the training session on Tuesday, according to the report.
Santiago Solari will officially be sacked tonight.
How Twitter reacted..
Zidane – somewhat shockingly – willing to come back because Perez is finally going to undertake the overhaul that Zidane felt was necessary over a year ago.
— Miguel Delaney (@MiguelDelaney) March 11, 2019
When you have a quick look on Twitter and see Zidane is going back to Madrid and you realise you’re just going to have to stay at Spurs after all. pic.twitter.com/uMWEVifKXx
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) March 11, 2019
Zinedine Zidane is set to return to Real Madrid tomorrow on a deal until the end of the season, per multiple reports
(via @brfootball) pic.twitter.com/WutSGtSv0J
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 11, 2019
COPE: Zinedine Zidane will return to Real Madrid. He will begin coaching the players tomorrow. Solari has said goodbye to the players.
— RMadridHome (@RMadridHome_) March 11, 2019
Breaking | Santiago Solari will officially be sacked tonight & Zinedine Zidane will already take Real Madrid training tomorrow morning, according to L’Équipe.
— Get French Football News (@GFFN) March 11, 2019
Zidane’s return would surely mean (if this wasn’t certain already) that Gareth Bale will leave Real Madrid this summer. By the end of last season their relationship was non-existent.
— The Spanish Football Podcast (@tsf_podcast) March 11, 2019
Zidane about to put his legacy on the line for the second freaking time for the club he loves, what a man.
— Ryan. (@Rygista) March 11, 2019
It’s now clear to me that Zidane left because the board were not willing to give him whatever he wanted in terms of signings/departures. That has changed now.
— Lucas Navarrete (@LucasNavarreteM) March 11, 2019
In his two-and-a-half seasons with the club, he won three consecutive UEFA Champions League titles, a La Liga, a Supercopa de España, the UEFA Super Cup and two FIFA Club World Cups.
Zinedine Zidane will return to Real Madrid as manager for the remainder of the season. pic.twitter.com/klMXNhN3ht
— FourFourTweet (@FourFourTweet) March 11, 2019
I find Zidane’s decision to go back a massive, massive risk. Improving what came after him won’t be hard but he’ll be judged against what he did in his previous stint. Matching that is practically impossible. I guess he must really love the club.
— Andrew Gaffney (@GaffneyVLC) March 11, 2019
:”I gave everything for Zidane.”
Marcelo 😭 pic.twitter.com/X52nrCl0zN
— Rahmat (@Rahmatisco) March 11, 2019
Santiago Solari apparently sacked by Real Madrid with Zidane to return.
Lucky Solari. Imagine getting a massive payoff, then being free to relax and watch Cheltenham all week. Dream stuff.
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) March 11, 2019
What next?
With time, the reports look increasingly true. And so, we can expect Zinedine Zidane to be in the dugout when Real Madrid takes on Celta Vigo on Saturday.
