Will Zidane Stay in Madrid?

19/04/21 3422

Real Madrid have been in great form recently and at the time of writing they are in contention to win both La Liga and the UEFA Champions League.

Even if they fail to progress beyond the semi-final stage of the Champions League and ultimately lose out in the Spanish title race, it will still have been a decent finish to the season under the guidance of Zinedine Zidane.

There was a time when it appeared as though Real Madrid were not going to challenge in either competition but the French manager has turned their fortunes around in recent months.

Even without the likes of Sergio Ramos, Raphael Varane, Eden Hazard, and Daniel Carvajal being available for selection on a regular basis.

Real Madrid have also been forced to play their home matches at their training ground while the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu is being redeveloped and that is far from ideal, even without fans in attendance.

However, Zidane’s contract is up in 2022 and there is currently no deal being reached between the club and manager.

Speaking in a press conference on Saturday, Zidane spoke about the situation and said, “I don't know what will happen”, before continuing, “You can have a four or five-year contract and leave tomorrow.

Or the opposite, your contract finishes but you end up staying. It doesn't mean anything. I'm happy.”

Speaking about his own managerial ability, Zidane said, “We've never doubted the work we've done. Difficulties make us stronger. It's true I'm lucky to be here coaching this great club.

I don't think I'm a disaster of a coach. I'm not the best either, that's for sure, but I like what I'm doing. I'd like to talk more about football, but it seems there's more interest in other things.”

It is difficult to predict what Real Madrid and Zidane are going to do in regard to a new contract. Zidane has previously walked away from the club having led them to three consecutive Champions League titles only to return nine months later.

So, even if either party were to come out now and make a concrete statement regarding the future of the managerial position at the club, things could easily change in a few months’ time.

From Zidane’s point of view, if he were to succeed in winning the Spanish title, the Champions League or both this season, it may be the perfect time to leave the club. Sergio Ramos is 35, with a new contract yet to be signed, Toni Kroos is 31, Luka Modric is 35, and Karim Benzema is 33.

These four players have been hugely important during the two spells of Zidane at the club and time is running out for each of them.

Replacing the four players is going to be a mammoth task and one Zidane may decide to leave to a different manager.