Zidane’s return to Real: the condition that will make Pérez furious
Without a club since 2021, Zinedine Zidane is reportedly eager to return to coach Real Madrid for a third time. However, he has set a massive condition for Florentino Pérez.
Carlo Ancelotti and Real Madrid are currently facing significant difficulties. Against Liverpool, the Merengues once again delivered a lackluster performance. With many key players sidelined by injuries, the Italian coach has been left with no choice but to improvise. While this approach worked in previous seasons, it seems to be failing this time around. His future as the head of La Casa Blanca is now highly uncertain, sparking rumors of a potential return for Zinedine Zidane. Without a club since 2021, the football legend could be open to managing Real Madrid for a third time. However, he has set one major condition.
Zinedine Zidane wants full control
According to Don Balón, Zinedine Zidane would be open to returning to Real Madrid at the end of the current season, four years after leaving the club. However, the three-time Champions League-winning coach reportedly wants full control, including complete authority over transfers. Zidane believes the squad needs a substantial overhaul, as it currently lacks the technical quality he desires.
To begin, Zidane wants Florentino Pérez to make every effort to sign four key players. The first two are full-backs Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool) and Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich), both of whom are out of contract next June. These names align with recent rumors of Real Madrid‘s interest in the two players. The third target is Florian Wirtz, the rising star of German football (Bayer Leverkusen), who is valued at €130 million according to Transfermarkt. The fourth name on Zidane’s list is Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich), whose contract is set to expire in June 2025.
Recruitment also means departures. According to the Spanish magazine, Zinedine Zidane has reportedly identified three Real Madrid players he wants to see leave. Aurelien Tchouameni, Lucas Vázquez, and Ferland Mendy are said to be the first to face the consequences of the possible return of the former number 5 of Madrid. These departures would make sense given the players Zidane is determined to bring in. In any case, Zidane has laid out his terms, which are unlikely to sit well with Florentino Perez, who enjoys making his own moves in the transfer market every summer without necessarily considering his coaches’ plans.
