Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has praised Zinedine Zidane for changing the "recent history" of the club as a player and a coach. Promoted from his position as head coach of the club's reserve team to be Rafa Benitez's replacement in January, three-times world player of the year Zidane steered Real to a runners-up finish in La Liga and to their 11th European Cup. "The key element is Zidane," Perez told Marca on Tuesday. "He has changed the recent history of Real Madrid. Since 2001 he has created a way to understand football that has helped us win these European Cups." Zidane was signed as a player in Perez's first term as president and his spectacular volley in the final in Glasgow in 2002 gave Real their ninth European title. The Frenchman was an assistant to head coach Carlo Ancelotti when Real beat Atletico in Lisbon in the 2014 final.
Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane has tested positive for the coronavirus, the La Liga club said in a statement on Friday.
Real Madrid defender Marcelo says the club needed new direction after stuttering under Rafael Benitez and has praised Zinedine Zidane for 'breathing life back' into the team since taking over as coach in January.
France's Euro 2008 squad are missing Zinedine Zidane, playmaker Franck Ribery and goalkeeper Gregory Coupet said on Sunday. Coupet said Zidane's retirement was one of the reasons why France, thrashed 4-1 by Netherlands on Friday after drawing 0-0 with Romania on Monday, were toiling at these finals.
Zinedine Zidane said on Monday he had stepped down as Real Madrid coach as the club's hierarchy did not have enough faith in him to rebuild an ageing squad.
Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane is leaving the European champions after two years in charge.
French football president apologises for 'awkward remarks' on Zidane after backlash
Zinedine Zidane's infamous head-butt on Italian Marco Materazzi in the 2006 World Cup final has been immortalised in a statue now on display in Paris.
Zidane is currently in charge of Real's B team Castilla, and has for some time been linked with the manager's post.
Marco Materazzi shook Zinedine Zidane's hand last month for the first time since the Frenchman's infamous headbutt on him in the 2006 World Cup final, the Italian said on Thursday.
Zidane was accompanied on stage by his wife and four sons, who all look good to follow in the footsteps of their father.
Zinedine Zidane was warmly welcomed by a nation that has long seen the player of Algerian ancestry as an icon.
France midfielder Zinedine Zidane has warned Real Madrid fans not to expect too much too soon from new signing David Beckham.
Zinedine Zidane is the country's most popular figure for 48 percent of French people.
The France captain missed training on Thursday but should be fit to play Brazil in their World Cup quarter-final.
Real parted ways with Alonso a little more than seven months after appointing him, following a poor run of results in all competitions.
The Real Madrid midfielder dislocated his right shoulder during his side's 3-0 defeat by Bayer Leverkusen.
The midfielder will captain France in an international friendly against Ivory Coast on August 17.
Real Madrid will seek inspiration from their former midfielder and France World Cup winner Zinedine Zidane for Tuesday's Champions League match at Ajax Amsterdam, according to Xabi Alonso.
The 32-year-old is expected to announce his decision officially at 1745 GMT on Thursday.
Zinedine Zidane has said he would like to return to the world of football, not sure in which role.
The France captain will be out for three weeks because of a groin strain.
Zinedine Zidane lamented Real Madrid's home woes as the Spanish and European champions slipped to a surprise 1-0 defeat to Real Betis on Wednesday.
Coach Zinedine Zidane learned the lessons of predecessor Rafael Benitez's disastrous tactics in the last encounter and employed defensive midfielder Casemiro in favour of more attack-minded players, opting instead to sit and wait for Barcelona.
France coach Raymond Domenech said he was not angry at Zinedine Zidane for his headbutt in the World Cup final.
The 33-year-old felt France needed to recover the team spirit of previous years if they were to be successful in Germany.
FIFA will open a disciplinary investigation into the circumstances surrounding Zinedine Zidane's head-butt on Italy's Marco Materazzi.
'Fabien made the difference and allowed us to stay 1-0 down and gave us the possibility to keep believing in our chances,' said France's captain.
"Is he (Gerrard) the best in the world? He might not get the attention of (Lionel) Messi and Ronaldo but, yes, I think he just might be," Zidane was quoted as saying by the Guardian.
FIFA president Sepp Blatter said that plans were afoot for the two players to be reunited.
'I brought up his sister and that wasn't a nice thing, that is true,' said the Italian defender.
The award, which is based on the votes of 142 coaches of national teams, will be made at the World Player Gala in Basle on December 15.
Zidane urged fans not to expect more from Beckham than he has already shown at Manchester United.
