Great players often don’t make great managers. That’s the popular belief anyway and it stems from the notion that supremely gifted footballers fail to relate to the shortcomings of lesser players and hence struggle in a coaching capacity.
There are exceptions to the rule of course, Johan Cruyff being the perfect example. And after a sensational spell with Real Madrid, Zinedine Zidane joins the legendary Dutchman in that regard.
Pep Guardiola was an excellent midfielder in his own right but could never aspire to the heights Zidane scaled during his playing career. A comparison would’ve been pointless. Yet, the Frenchman’s spell as Madrid boss has persistently been measured against the achievements of Guardiola’s on the Camp Nou touchline.
The Spaniard won 14 trophies over the course of four seasons in charge of the Catalans. Following his resignation on Thursday, Zidane walks away with nine trophies in two years and four months. But while Guardiola has always been lauded as a tactical genius, his counterpart isn’t held in such high regard.
Granted, Zidane hasn’t revolutionised football the way Guardiola did at Barca and continues to do at Manchester City but tactical astuteness is only one attribute of a successful manager. The Frenchman’s specific skill set makes him an accomplished leader, particularly when it comes to an elite outfit which demands an understated touch, one he’s proven to provide with great sophistication.
After Rafa Benitez’s sacking in 2016, Zidane took over a Madrid side in disarray and not only did he steady the ship with the utmost composure but instantaneously propelled them to great success. He immediately commanded the respect of Madrid’s superstars and extracted the best from a stunning group of individuals which is no mean feat.
Despite the unforgiving criticism and scrutiny that comes with occupying the hotseat at one of the biggest clubs in the world housed within a politically infused Santiago Bernabeu atmosphere, his conduct has always been impeccable.
Even when Madrid struggled in La Liga earlier in the season, not once did he get agitated, lash out at his players or direct blame towards the club hierarchy like other, more experienced, managers tend to do. His serene leadership prevented Madrid’s season from being derailed.
Zinedine Zidane has managed Madrid’s superstars perfectly.
Zidane’s steady hand is something he has in common with Carlo Ancelotti, a manager he looks up to and served under as an assistant when the Italian delivered Madrid’s 10th Champions League title in 2014. The AC Milan legend took over from an outspoken Jose Mourinho at the time and with an almost casual demeanour, guided them to that much anticipated ‘La Decima’.
Drawing inspiration from Ancelotti, Zidane has navigated a surprising foray into management with the same grace he would weave his magic on the football pitch. His ability to play to a team’s strengths, manage big egos and ride a storm means he’s tailor-made for one job in particular – leading the French national team.
France are currently witnessing the emergence of arguably their most talented generation and are quickly approaching the sweet spot in terms of squad balance. The likes of Antoine Griezmann and Paul Pogba are already seasoned pros and growing in stature as leaders while Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele and Thomas Lemar spearhead the talented group of youngsters coming through.
However, all that attacking potential is in danger of being wasted or at least restricted by a cautious and unconvincing Didier Deschamps. There are murmurs of discontent among the players and Adrien Rabiot’s falling out with the coach has a familiar feeling of the wheels coming off for France.
Should they disappoint at this summer’s World Cup, calls for a change in management will become deafening and ‘Zizou’ conveniently lies in wait. Many believe it would be a natural advancement for the celebrated Frenchman.
Deschamps himself has admitted that Zidane will eventually lead the national team, deeming it the ‘logical’ course of action.
If the 45-year-old’s next job is indeed leading Les Bleus, it would be a poetic progression for a French legend whose exploits as a player was often poetry in motion.
