Zinedine Zidane has come good on the promise he made as he left the Bernabeu last May that it was a “see you later” rather than a goodbye.
Later proved to be just 284 days, as on Monday he was reinstated as Real Madrid manager, replacing Santiago Solari, just as all hopes of a trophy this season dissipated in Real’s shock Champions League exit to Ajax last week. Barcelona are ahead by a distance in La Liga and Los Blancos face finishing second-best in the capital for the second year running with Atletico Madrid comfortably ahead of Real by five points.
The team have nothing left to play for this season apart from their waning pride, but that does not mean the club’s influence stops at the gates of the Bernabeu. The permutations of Zidane’s return will be felt across Europe, especially in north and west London.
What it means for Real
In a ceremony featuring declarations of “love”, “loyalty” and a dubious choice of jeans, Madrid president Florentino Perez beamed at his Zizou, an uncontroversial (and unimaginative) choice that could only unite Madrid’s exasperated fans.
Leading the team to a record-breaking three consecutive Champions League titles last season and a 69.8 per cent win rate over his two-and-a-half-year tenure means there is little to argue with in appointing Zidane.
To lure the Frenchman into risking his unblemished reputation on an ailing team, Perez must have promised the 46-year-old the moon and all the star signings his heart desires.
Perez joked during the press event that perhaps Zidane’s much sought-after compatriot Kylian Mbappe could be convinced of a Madrid move by a fellow Frenchman. Perez has also made no secret of his interest in PSG’s Neymar to bolster a squad that has done little to convince that the Cristiano Ronaldo-shaped hole has been filled, though Zidane is said to be less keen. Then there is Eden Hazard (more on that later).
All of this involves a lot of disposable income – something Madrid do not have. Once known for ‘Galactico’ signings of the likes of Ronaldo, David Beckham and Zidane himself, since 2014-15 Madrid’s ability to pluck the best has faltered and the spending slowed. For a club of their stature, Perez prioritising funding a stadium revamp has been criticised and, as impressive as their squad has been, this season proves they are past their best and the expensive, ageing players will be difficult to shift.
What it means for Gareth Bale
Gareth Bale’s future with the club is even more tenuous with Zidane’s return. Despite the Welshman’s seeming lack of interest based on his Twitter activity (he tweeted about the PGA’s Players Championships on Monday), his was one of the more strained relationships with the manager last season.
Since saying Zidane did not congratulate him after his two-goal contribution to Real Madrid’s Champions League triumph, Bale’s career in the Spanish capital, which began in 2013, has continued to go backward. He has failed to break through since Ronaldo’s departure and has been ostracised by the fans who jeered him during the loss to Barcelona earlier this month.
Zidane’s overarching influence means an arm around Bale’s shoulder could win back the supporters, but it is unlikely – especially if, as expected, he has been promised a summer signing frenzy. Bale’s €75m price tag could be useful (if they can sell him) in attempts to dangle the carrot in front of Hazard, Neymar or Mbappe.
What it means for Spurs
The manager merry-go-round seems to have dealt Tottenham a favourable hand, and removed any bargaining chips Mauricio Pochettino might have expected to have this summer. As Manchester United and Madrid have both welcomed back their respective prodigal sons, a path to less, as Pochettino calls it, “limited” set-ups than White Hart Lane seems sealed off for the Spurs manager.
The Argentine was approached for the Madrid job last summer, just weeks after signing a five-year extension on his Tottenham contract. Pochettino has never hidden his desire to return to La Liga however and recently expressed his views on Tottenham reaching an impasse in their potential to punch any higher than their current weight.
But as long as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer does not suffer a late-season implosion at Old Trafford and is confirmed as their permanent manager come the summer, it seems Zidane’s appointment leaves Pochettino with no option but to stick it out at Tottenham.
What it means for Chelsea
The news coming out of Madrid on Monday would have heard less cheers in west London as the reality of a Eden Hazard-less future at Stamford Bridge draw nearer. The Telegraph exclusively reported on Monday night that Chelsea had already been approached by the Spanish club about signing Hazard this summer in the days before the Zidane announcement.
Hazard’s desire to join Madrid will be strengthened by the managerial switch, previously expressing his admiration for Zidane: “Everyone knows the respect I have for Zidane as a player, but also as a manager. He was my idol. For sure, to play under Zidane would be a dream.” Zidane also called the Belgian his “favourite player” after Lionel Messi and Ronaldo, back in 2015.
Hazard’s dream sits on the cusp, but he will come at a price. Chelsea value him at £100 million despite the fact he will only have 12 months left on his contract come the end of the season. The club’s transfer ban until January 2020, which is being appealed, complicates matters too. Signing Christian Pulisic last January in anticipation will be some consolation for Chelsea, but whether it is this summer or next, Hazard looks like he is on his way out.
