Zinedine Zidane’s handbook for managing Real Madrid

Despite all the trophies he won with Real Madrid — including three consecutive Champions League titles — there always seemed to be a lingering doubt attached to Zinedine Zidane’s name when it comes to his coaching expertise and managerial quality. The impression is that he never truly received full recognition as one of the world’s best, with much of his success largely attributed to the power of the Royal Club and an exceptional group of players, and far less to him as a great tactician or innovator.

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What cannot be disputed, however, is his absolute control of an extraordinarily complex dressing room, which at one point included stars such as Ronaldo, Benzema, Modric, Kroos, Bale, James, Morata, Marcelo, and others.

Commenting on the problems Xabi Alonso faced during his six-month spell in Madrid — which would ultimately lead to his dismissal — the French legend openly admitted that during his own tenure he paid the greatest attention to the atmosphere within the team and to how players were treated.

It was not a direct criticism of Alonso’s attempt to impose discipline on Madrid’s pampered stars, but many interpreted Zidane’s remarks as a kind of “free lesson” to his younger colleague.

“My staff and I took over Real Madrid’s first team at a delicate moment. I knew what we were getting into. At the beginning, we came to work at nine in the morning and went home close to midnight. I saw that the team had the quality to achieve great things, but that a lot needed to change. First of all, we wanted training to be different every single day,” Zidane began.

“The team was not in good physical condition, and the first important thing we had to do was convince them that they needed to work on that. I sat down and spoke with the four captains. I told them what I expected from them, that I wanted to see commitment and a desire to succeed. And that they needed to set the example for everyone else, to lead. Once they agreed to do what I was asking, that was it. Joy returned to training. I recognized new motivation in everyone. Work and joy. We convinced them that they had to run. That’s how it started.”

The legendary figure achieved much through personal authority, but never by force. He understood that ego had to be set aside, that not everyone was a genius like him, and that each player required a different approach — explanation, and sometimes even accommodation.

The result was that Cristiano Ronaldo, without complaint, sat on the bench in some less important matches. Zidane explained to him that this would help extend his career.

“I was available to the players at all times. That’s what makes a team strong — being there for the guys. If you don’t understand that, you can’t succeed at a club like Real, and you can’t succeed in this profession. For the dressing room to accept what you’re asking and trying to implement, they have to like you. That’s how it is. If they’re happy, they’ll work well. If they work well, they’ll win. If they win, you’ll lift trophies. I think the players at our club enjoyed themselves in every sense,” he said.

“I tried to show every player in the squad that he mattered. If they didn’t train well, they couldn’t play. If on Monday you already know who will play on Saturday, that’s not good. You have to design training in a way that players are competing and proving themselves all week — and being happy about it in the end.”

A similar approach to Zidane’s was built throughout his career by Carlo Ancelotti as well. The Italian was also successful at Real Madrid. A firm hand has brought little success in Madrid for years now — although it should also be noted that Alonso did not have a dressing room with anything close to the human calibre that Carlo or Zizou once had.