Florentino Perez reveals his theory on why Real Madrid failed after Zinedine Zidane left
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez believes the club’s recent successes made them lose “intensity” but believes they are on the right course to ‘recovering’ momentum.
During Zinedine Zidane’s first stint in charge of Los Blancos, he guided the Spanish giants to three consecutive Champions League crowns, blazing a trail in Europe’s flagship competition since its rebranding in 1992.
Did Real Madrid success lead to decline? Five things to know…
- Zidane led Real Madrid to three successive Champions League titles during his first spell in charge.
- He also clinched a La Liga trophy, two Super Cups and a Supercopa de Espana.
- Zidane ultimately left in May 2018 after three seasons of unprecedented success at the Bernabeu.
- Madrid sold Ronaldo that summer and failed to replace him with an experienced goalscorer.
- Julen Lopetegui was sacked after just 10 La Liga games – Solari, too, shortly after – and Zidane eventually returned.
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Not since Bayern Munich in the mid-seventies has a team won three successive European titles, but Zidane achieved that feat between 2016 and 2018 before stepping down as head coach.
What followed was a tumultuous campaign across 2018/19 which saw Cristiano Ronaldo leave for Juventus, both Julen Lopetegui and Santiago Solari sacked, and many of Real’s star players perform exceedingly below expectations.
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Perez ultimately reinstated Zidane to the hotseat and despite some initial teething problems in his second tenure, the Real president believes the capital club are heading in the right direction, though he did cite their original success as reason for the downfall last term.
“Our success made us lose our intensity,” Perez explained.
“We have to recover it. These players and this coach made us champions, so they’ll do it again.
“Last season wasn’t good and we have to reflect on the criticism.”
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Could Zidane be heading to Miami?
Despite Perez’s comments suggesting Zidane will be given time to “recover” Real’s “intensity” and re-establish the club back in upper tiers of both La Liga and Europe, the rumour mill has begun speculation on the Frenchman’s future.
There are claims Zidane is already under pressure as a result of Real’s slow start to the campaign, which has seen the club win once and draw twice in the Spanish top-flight.
Reports are now emerging that David Beckham has identified Zidane as his top target to manage his new MLS side Inter Miami, which will make its introduction in American football for the 2020 season.
The Florida based club have begun preparations for assembling a backroom staff that will lead them into a new era across the Atlantic, but whether Zidane pitches up in Miami remains to be seen.
