LaLiga race on the line in beIN's awesome April

Despite leading Real Madrid to the UEFA Champions League title last season, racking up a winning record superior to that of Pep Guardiola in his first full season in charge of Barcelona, effectively massaging his playing squad's many big egos and convincing notoriously difficult club president Florentino Perez to give him some say around the transfer table, Zinedine Zidane seems to fly well under the radar when discussion turns to the world's best football managers.  

Maybe the shadow cast by the Frenchman's majestic playing career has masked his rapid emergence as one of football management's great new tactical minds. Perhaps he's tainted by the presumption of a FIFA manager mode assembly of players that simply needs to be told which direction to kick the ball to win. Or maybe people are just waiting for a presumed inevitable stumble.

Almost a year in and that wait continues. 

Skeptics would do well to consider the turmoil engulfing Madrid when Zidane glided into the manager's hot seat like he used to glide past defenders. Jose Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti and Benitez had moments of success, but each of them was brought down by one of the factors mentioned above, all the while trying to compete with a rampant Barcelona.

While being groomed for the role, Zidane had the luxury of working with all of these men and it seems he is already demonstrating some of their strengths.

He boasts Mourinho’s assertiveness and the guts to take on the big names, opting to groom Casemiro (who has been a revelation in midfield) at the expense of Spanish favourite Isco and Colombian James Rodriguez.

James, who joined Real Madrid for $113 million in 2014 couldn't contain his frustration in the 4-2 win over Leganes, when he was spotted punching the wall after being substituted in the second half.

While Zidane has ruffled the feathers of a few of the peacocks in the Madrid’s star-studded dressing room, his exceptional man management - much like that of Ancelotti - negated a dressing room rift, the likes of which conspired against Mourinho.

What’s been most impressive about the 44 year-old is the way he has taken back control from overbearing club president Florentino Perez.  

Despite sitting top of LaLiga and in pole position to advance to the UEFA Champions League semi-final, his men have been criticised for grinding out wins, and playing 'ugly football.' 

But it can't be that bad. with his side averaging a respectable 2.6 goals per game in LaLiga and Los Blancos on track to achieve a 'double' in Zidane's first full season, Madrid is showing it can turn on the style to score goals and grind out the wins required to ensure it's fancy modern trophy room remains stacked. 

This morning’s (AEST) UEFA Champions League quarter final win over Bayern Munich epitomised Real Madrid's season - it's not always pretty but the Spanish giant knows what's required to get the job done.

As a player Zidane was a natural-born leader, and he's brought that aura to the dugout - commanding the respect of his players at a young age, much like Guardiola.

Zidane the player was held up as the stuff of modern football legend. It's high time his coaching starts to be given the respect it deserves.