Zinedine Zidane's
smooth transition from Real Madrid legend as a player to Champions League
winning coach has caught many by surprise, but Real president
Florentino Perez
believes success was guaranteed by the Frenchman's "love story" with
the Spanish giants.
Zidane dazzled for
five years as a Madrid player after being signed by Perez for a then-world
record fee in 2001. Yet his incredible record in 11 months since being handed
his first senior managerial role has more than rivalled his accomplishments as
a player.
Having suffered just
two defeats in 48 games in charge, Zidane led Madrid to an 11th European Cup at
the first time of asking in May and has Los Blancos on the way to a first La
Liga title in five years by opening a six-point lead on Barcelona ahead of El
Clasico on Saturday.
"He changed the
history of this club as a player and it was such an easy option for us. He is
someone who came here to offer a new and distinct future... it was obvious that
he would do a great job," Perez told AFP in an exclusive interview.
"It has been a
beautiful and eternal love story and that is why I am not surprised by the
results he is getting and those that are still to come."
Madrid's form under
Zidane is even more remarkable given that his predecessor Rafael Benitez lasted
just seven months at the Santiago Bernabeu with his short-lived reign blighted
by poor results and player revolts.
It is the respect
garnered from his playing days that Perez believes sets Zidane apart.
"Zidane last
year changed our lives. As well as working very well from a professional point
of view, he has an authority with the players because he was a great player. He
was one of the greatest ever," added Perez, a construction magnate,
proudly sitting before Real's 11 European Cups in the club's decorated trophy
room.
"When he says
things, when he speaks with the players, he has the recognition and the
authority you have to have."
- Ronaldo worth
every penny -
Zidane has the
luxury of one of the most expensively assembled squads in world football at his
disposal, led by Real's all-time record goalscorer Cristiano Ronaldo.
"Cristiano is
also special," said Perez. "His stats are scandalous."
The Portuguese
recently signed a lucrative new five-year contract with Madrid, protecting his
position as the highest-paid sportsman in the world.
"We are
delighted with Cristiano Ronaldo. He gives us more than we pay him. We have
renewed his contract for five more years and we are very proud to have done
so."
Perez's two spells
in charge have been characterised by blockbuster "Galactico"
signings.
Madrid have topped
Deloitte's Football Money League for 11 straight years, but Barcelona (679
million euros, $720 million) and Bayern Munich (627 million euros) have posted
a higher turnover for last season than Real's 620 million euros despite their
Champions League success.
Meanwhile, backed by
£8.3 billion ($10 billion) television rights deals for the Premier League and
massive commercial contracts, Manchester United captured Paul Pogba for a
world-record 105 million euros in August.
"When I first
arrived (as president) in 2000 there were already English teams making more
money, particularly Manchester United. We have had 15 years of success in every
aspect, including economically," Perez said.
"We know we
have to compete with the English, French, Germans and Italians, we are
continuing to work on that."
As part of the
club's plans for economic growth, work on upgrading the Bernabeu stadium is
scheduled to start next year at a cost of 400 million euros with the aim of
improving fans' experience as well as generating greater income from corporate
facilities.
"I am one who
believes that if Madrid have the best players in the world in every position,
then the revenue will not be a problem," concluded Perez with a confident
air that Real are not about to be knocked off their perch.
AFP
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