Los Blancos are now expected to raid the Premier League to improve their ailing squad
Zinedine Zidane is back in charge of Real Madrid and will have an incredible degree of control at a club notorious for being dominated by its president, Florentino Perez.
In his first spell in the Bernabeu dugout, the Frenchman’s authority was considerably larger than that of previous coaches with his handling of Cristiano Ronaldo, who was happy to be rotated out of the team by his coach, just one example of his power.
And yet, Perez still reigned supreme and Real’s fumbled attempt to sign goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga was not in Zidane’s name. Such cases should not happen again this time around, according to reports in Spain.
AS believe Zidane has been granted absolute power in managing the sporting side of the club. This means no decision affecting the first-team will be made without his approval.
In addition, the former midfielder’s demand for reinforcements to his playing staff has also been accepted. Zidane was notorious for stating his happiness with his existing squad in his first spell but it is tough to deny that some fresh faces are needed to revitalise the side.
Sadio Mane was reported to be a major target before the coach’s exit last summer and Madrid are said to be working off a shortlist including N’Golo Kante, Eden Hazard, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe. Club president Perez said he would like to sign “both” the Paris Saint-Germain attackers when asked his preference in Monday’s press conference.
Finally, Zidane’s contract to 2022 is understood to contain a considerable pay increase compared to the relatively stingy deal he resigned from in May. His new salary matches the amounts earned by the globe’s top coaches, namely Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola and Atletico Madrid’s Diego Simeone.
