Zinedine Zidane has confirmed that he will remain as the club’s Castilla coach, rather than taking a role as Rafael Benitez’s assistant manager.
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The club legend had been mooted as a potential successor to Carlo Ancelotti, but was instead overlooked as ex-Liverpool chief Benitez was appointed.
Despite winning the Champions League last season—Real’s tenth European Cup—the Italian coach was unable to win the Liga BBVA title this term. Similarly, Ancelotti failed to retain the Champions League as the Merengues were dumped out at the semi-final stage by Juventus.
The former Chelsea manager’s departure led to Real president Florentino Perez appointing Benitez—who left Napoli at the end of the season—to take the top job at the club.
“I will continue with the Castilla,” began Zidane, speaking to RMC, “that’s what I want to do right now.
“I am enjoying a few rest days, but I will immediately begin preparing for next season. I will definitely pick up some players younger than those we had last term, because normally, the Real Madrid C team will disappear.
“I have no other ambition for the moment,” he continued, “I am with the Castilla.
“After that, we will see. Of course, I passed my exams to become a coach of a first-division side,” he concluded, “when will that be? With whom, and how? I am not asking these questions just yet!”
The World Cup winner featured for Real for five years, winning the Champions League with the capital club in 2002.
It remains to be seen who Benitez will appoint as his assistant, but what is certain is that the new man will have an extensive transfer budget to spend this summer as he attempts to achieve success at the Bernabeu.