Not the French national team, Zidane may lead Europe’s greatest club

Zinedine Zidane is viewed as the leading contender to become Real Madrid’s manager, particularly since Xabi Alonso has not fulfilled the anticipated results.

According to sources from Fichajes, Zinedine Zidane is one of the most frequently mentioned names among the candidates to replace Xabi Alonso at Real Madrid.

Although it seemed everything was agreed for him to lead the French national team after the 2026 World Cup, this deal has not been fully finalized. This presents an opportunity for President Florentino Perez to convince Zidane to take charge of the club for the third time.

Despite the recent victory over Athletic Bilbao, doubts about Xabi Alonso’s project have made his future at Real Madrid uncertain. If results do not improve soon, the Spanish coach may not last until the Christmas break. However, before making any decisions, Florentino Perez needs to find a replacement with sufficient stature, and Zidane is among the top choices. Still, the French coach is expected to present many mandatory demands if he accepts the role.

First of all, Zidane wants full control over team building, including contract renewals, squad trimming, and recruiting new players. He also believes the current locker room needs significant changes since players have grown accustomed to receiving too many privileges under Carlo Ancelotti, which Zidane will not tolerate.

Therefore, he is ready to request the departure of players unwilling to fully commit or who do not follow discipline. Additionally, the 1998 Ballon d’Or winner wants to remove stars who do not meet the professional standards, such as Raul Asencio, Fran García, Brahim Diaz, and Dani Ceballos—players he considers not yet worthy of playing for Real Madrid, the club holding the record with 15 Champions League titles. Alongside this, he plans to bring in “blockbuster” signings to build a squad capable of dominating.

Zidane will certainly not agree easily, forcing Florentino Perez to accept many terms and make clear commitments if he wants to persuade him to take over from Xabi Alonso.

Moreover, the locker room internally leans toward supporting Zidane. The 53-year-old coach has more backing from players due to his working style, which reflects Carlo Ancelotti’s approach—focusing more on management and team cohesion rather than purely tactical aspects. Players believe Zidane’s return could unify the squad and improve the overall atmosphere. Names like Mbappe, Vinicius, Valverde, and Bellingham are reportedly in favor of the “Zidane option.”

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