Ancelotti explains Zidane's success at Real Madrid

Bayern's current coach is not surprised that his former student has soon achieved success as Real Madrid's leader.

Zinedine Zidane and Carlo Ancelotti had a close relationship during their time together at the Bernabeu. The Frenchman worked as an assistant to the Italian coach in 2013, before turning down an offer from Bordeaux to stay and develop his coaching career at Real Madrid Castilla from 2014 to early 2016. It was Ancelotti who convinced Zidane to stay with the Spanish capital club.

Ancelotti soon recognized the qualities of a successful coach in Zidane from the time the French star was his assistant.

"The reality is that coaching Real Madrid is good for Zidane personally, and good for the club. I knew that when he was my assistant. Zidane has prestige, and he has the respect of all the players," Ancelotti told L'Equipe.

He continued: "When Rafa Benitez had to leave, and Zidane took over as first-team coach, every player was ready to serve him."

"Zidane studied a lot, and was brave in accepting to be my assistant. He knew Real Madrid very well. All of that created a really good atmosphere around the team when Zidane became the first-team coach," Ancelotti further explained about his former assistant's success as Real coach.

Zidane received respect and obedience from the players, thereby turning Real into a cohesive team, conquering the Champions League last season and leading La Liga this season.

The 57-year-old coach also commented on the difference between leading Bayern and Real: “Honorary President Beckenbauer is a talented former player, so he knows what is going on in football much easier than the leaders of Real Madrid. Executive Chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge was also a famous player. In Madrid, there is a lot of pressure from outside, such as television, radio, and newspapers. Therefore, I have a different feeling when working in Germany with Bayern Munich."

According to VNE