Carlos, Figo back Zidane for Real job

Former Real Madrid star Roberto Carlos has thrown his support behind Zinedine Zidane to be the next head coach of the club.

With Jose Mourinho having departed the club for Chelsea, there has been rampant speculation that Carlo Ancelotti would be the next coach of the Spanish giants.

But, speaking after a legends game between Real Madrid and Juventus for charity, Carlos said Zidane’s football smarts could see him become a successful coach at the Santiago Bernabeu.

“Zidane is ready to take any job within Real Madrid,” Carlos said.

“With his intelligence and calmness he could be a coach, a sporting director or a director.

“Zidane could do anything here with an aura of calm. He’s a fantastic person and would be great for Madrid.”

But Carlos cautioned that whoever inherits Mourinho’s mantle will have their hands full trying to appease a demanding supporter base.

“For Ancelotti, or whoever else may come, they must know that being the coach of Real Madrid is never easy,” he said.

“Here you have to compete for the league, the Champions League and the cup, and if you don’t win there are always problems.

“So whoever comes needs to know that. Mourinho’s era is over, a new coach will come and I wish whoever it is a lot of luck.

“(Ancelotti) is a great manager. The only problem is that you have to adapt quickly in Madrid.

“You can’t come here and go from one day to the next. You have to adapt to the club’s philosophy, and make sure the players understand you.”

Luis Figo, who was also part of the legends game, echoed Carlos’ belief that Zidane has what it takes to coach his old club.

“Zizou can do whatever he puts his mind to,” Figo said. “Why not?”