Florentino Perez, President of Real Madrid, attempted to bring back former manager Zinedine Zidane to lead the “Meringues” last December. However, the Frenchman declined the offer, preferring to wait for the opportunity to manage the French national team following the 2026 World Cup.
A Secret Call Between Perez and Zidane Before Alonso’s Departure
Perez reportedly lost confidence in Xabi Alonso following the home defeat against Celta Vigo at the Santiago Bernabéu last December. Seeking an immediate replacement, his primary choice for a third stint was Zinedine Zidane.
According to reports from AS, Perez personally contacted Zidane to propose a return. Despite his deep-rooted loyalty to Real Madrid and his excellent relationship with the President, “Zizou” rejected the proposal. His refusal is reportedly due to a verbal agreement with the French Football Federation to succeed Didier Deschamps this coming August.
Following Zidane’s rejection, Perez followed the advice of General Manager José Ángel Sánchez to retain Alonso until the Spanish Super Cup, despite having little faith in the Basque manager’s ability to turn the season around. Events unfolded as Perez anticipated; Real Madrid lost the Super Cup final 3-2 to Barcelona in Jeddah. This prompted the immediate dismissal of Alonso, with Alvaro Arbeloa appointed as an interim solution until the end of the season due to the lack of elite-level alternatives.
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Zidane’s Legacy with Real Madrid
Zidane’s coaching tenure remains legendary, highlighted by his unprecedented feat of winning three consecutive UEFA Champions League titles (2016, 2017, 2018)—a record unmatched in modern football history.
Beyond his continental dominance, Zidane revitalized the club domestically, securing two La Liga titles (2016-2017 and 2019-2020). His trophy cabinet with the club also includes two FIFA Club World Cups, two UEFA Super Cups, and two Spanish Super Cups, bringing his total tally to 11 trophies in a remarkably short period.
Mourinho: The Disciplinarian for Next Season?
Perez remains convinced that Zidane’s unique man-management skills were the only way to stabilize a fractured dressing room and extinguish internal conflicts, much like he did with the historic 2017 squad.
With Zidane officially out of the picture, the search for a permanent successor continues. Currently, Perez views Jose Mourinho—who is presently managing Benfica—as the ideal candidate to restore discipline and resolve the ongoing crises that have plagued the Spanish capital recently.
