Zidane can become Real Madrid's greatest ever manager - Kare
The ex-Blancos star believes victory over Liverpool in the Champions League final will cement the Frenchman's standing at the top of the coaching game
Zinedine Zidane stands on the verge of becoming “the No. 1 manager in Real Madrid’s history”, claims ex-Blancos star Christian Karembeu.
Already assured of legend status in the Spanish capital on the back of a memorable spell as a player, the Frenchman has enhanced that standing at the Santiago Bernabeu in a coaching capacity.
Despite being a relative novice when handed the reins in January 2016, Zidane has gone on to oversee La Liga title success and two Champions League triumphs.
He now stands on the verge of a third European crown, as Madrid prepare to chase down an historic hat-trick against Liverpool, and Karembeu believes victory will mark his former team-mate and fellow countryman down as the greatest boss in Real’s illustrious history.
A man who helped the Blancos to continental glory in 1998 and 2000 told the Daily Mail: “Nobody has done that before [won the Champions League three times in succession].
“He would be the No. 1 manager in Madrid's history. The club have always broken records and maybe Zizou will do it.”
Karembeu is backing Zidane and Madrid to get the job done in Kiev, allowing them to cement a standing as “the biggest club in the world”, but the 1998 World Cup winner concedes that an attack-minded Liverpool side pose a considerable threat.
He added: “I am a Real Madrid fan and a former player so I would like Zidane to make the record by winning three times in a row.
“It would give them the dimension of the biggest club in the world, but they have a real adversary in front of them with Liverpool. They are very dangerous with [Mohamed] Salah, [Sadio] Mane and [Roberto] Firmino.
“Nobody was expecting them [to make the final], but the way they play is fantastic.
“Through the qualifiers they won with their own way of playing, with speed and efficiency in front of the goal.
“By winning many games the trust and confidence comes through the team and that's why they have delivered great performances.”