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Zidane Confirms It: At Real Madrid, the Coach Is at the Service of the Players
The Frenchman spoke with total honesty about his time on the Real Madrid bench. Hard work, closeness, and a united locker room: Zidane’s formula for success at the club.
A Message That Resonates Amid Real Madrid’s Crisis
At a turbulent moment for Real Madrid, the words of Zinedine Zidane have not gone unnoticed. The French coach, who experienced both glory and tension on the Bernabéu bench, offered a powerful reflection on the role of a manager at a club where pressure is relentless—just as Xabi Alonso’s tenure ended abruptly and Álvaro Arbeloa now tries to steady the ship.
Speaking from experience, Zidane acknowledged that physical issues, mental fatigue, and commitment problems are nothing new at the club. And he made one thing clear: without a genuine connection with the locker room, no project can survive.
“The Coach Is There for the Player”
In an interview on Hamidou Msaidie’s YouTube channel, Zidane was blunt:
“At Real Madrid, we were at the service of the players. For me, that’s what makes a team strong. If you haven’t understood that, you can’t last in this profession.”
Zidane explained that his priority was always to build trust, closeness, and commitment. In his view, a coach must prove that he is there to support, listen, and guide—not just to impose ideas. Only then will players fully embrace the training, the demands, and the daily work.
Work, Joy, and Leadership from Within
Zidane also recalled the starting point of his project: a squad struggling physically and lacking emotional spark. The solution came through collective work and internal leadership. Meetings with the captains, clarity in expectations, and intense physical preparation were key to turning things around.
“When they accepted the work, joy returned,” he said. According to Zidane, hard work and enjoyment were the foundations that restored motivation and ultimately led the team to achieve great things.
A Reflection That Leaves a Mark
The Frenchman’s words now serve as a mirror of Real Madrid’s current reality. Beyond names and eras, Zidane leaves behind a clear message: at a club of this magnitude, talent alone is not enough if the locker room does not feel supported.
The message has been sent. And at Valdebebas, many are listening closely.
