BBC Sport have confirmed that Zinedine Zidane has returned to Real Madrid as their head coach, after walking away from the same job last summer.

The La Liga giants have already binned two managers since the Frenchman’s departure in May, with both Julen Lopetegui and Santiago Solari failing to impress in the Bernabeu dugout this season.

Zizou managed to guide Real to a Spanish league title and three Champions League triumphs during his first stint in charge at Los Blancos.

This season the Madrid side have struggled and currently lie in third position in La Liga. The current holders were also dumped out of the Champions League recently when Ajax humbled them 4-1 in Spain.

Zidane walking back through the front door of the Santiago Bernabeu probably means that the Spanish club will make major squad changes this summer.

It’s thought that the French coach decided to leave after hearing the transfer plans for last summer.

Real Madrid decided it was the right tine to sell talismanic world superstar Cristiano Ronaldo and they never really replaced him.

Instead Real President Florentino Perez decided to bring in Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois as his headline purchase. The goalie hasn’t been as impressive as Perez would’ve been expected and that’s magnified the poor transfer business of last summer even more.

Zidane had issues with Gareth Bale before his departure, so I’d fully expect the Welshman to depart during the next transfer window. Isco is another creative player who will probably have to look for another club in the summer after Real Madrid opened up disciplinary proceedings against the player (Source – Marca)

If those two players are going to leave, after the Ronaldo sale, I’d expect that Zidane will get a hefty transfer war-chest to play with in the offseason.

Given his dramatic return, I also fully believe that Perez will back Zizou in terms of getting the transfer targets that the Frenchman identifies.

One main target could be Chelsea maestro Eden Hazard.

It’s believed that Zinedine wanted to make a play for Eden and Perez didn’t, thus one of the reasons why the legendary Zidane left Madrid last year.

The player is a creative genius and has the ability to unlock any defence. He also possesses that confidence needed to become a galactico.

Hazard might believe that he’s done all he can at Stamford Bridge. He’s been sublime and helped the team to claim two Premier League titles, a League Cup and a Europa League.

The Belgian international has been with the London side for seven seasons now and at twenty-eight years of age he could feel the time is right for a change in club.

This season, The Blues have struggled at times but Eden has been a constant inspiration. He scored a wonderful goal against Wolves last weekend and that’s taken his goal tally to sixteen for the season and he’s also produced more assists than anyone else in England’s top tier with eleven for the season.

The issue is that Chelsea didn’t make the Champions League this year and they might not be there next term either. Under Maurizio Sarri they’ve been too inconsistent and currently sit outside the top four positions.

Hazard won’t want to spend another year not playing in Europe’s elite club competition.

The player’s contract is coming to an end in 2020. The fantastic forward doesn’t seem to be in a hurry to re-sign with The Blues. So this summer could be the last time Chelsea can pocket any money for their star player.

Chelsea’s two year transfer ban complicates things but the club have confirmed that US international attacker Christian Pulisic will join the club from Borussia Dortmund during the offseason.

Worryingly for Chelsea’s support and hierarchy, Eden Hazard has not been shy when discussing his admiration for Zinedine Zidane (Football.London):

“Everyone knows the respect I have for Zidane as a player, but also as a manager. He was my idol,” 

“I do not know what will happen in the future. However, for sure, to play under Zidane would be a dream.”

I think Hazard’s dream could become a reality in the summer.

Real Madrid will no doubt open up plenty of funds for returning boss Zidane and I think the Frenchman will be desperate to have a great talent like Eden within his squad.

Chelsea may be powerless to stop yet another Belgian star leaving The Bridge for the Bernabeu.

Posted on March 11th, 2019 by scott
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