Former Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane is expected to join Cristiano Ronaldo at Juventus, according to reports.
Zinedine Zidane is apparently lined up to join Juventus as a director following his hugely successful stint with Real Madrid. He will work alongside Fabio Paratici.
These reports come from Spanish outlet Libertad Digital, although Juventus has apparently denied them.
However, if they are true, it speaks to Juventus’ determination to win the Champions League.
Juventus are a team who can more or less rely on dominating domestically in Italy. The team have lost their lost all five of their most recent Champions League finals. This includes a 4 – 1 defeat to Zidane’s Real Madrid in Cardiff last year.
Recruiting Ronaldo, and potentially Zidane, the two figureheads of Real Madrid’s three consecutive Champions League titles, is not a subtle move.
It speaks of a desperation to achieve parity with the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich. Although Juventus is a huge club, playing in the Serie A leaves them at a financial and prestigious disadvantage.
Legend
To be considered a major super power, they must win the Champions League. It is no longer enough for them to stroll mostly uncontested to the Italian title every year.
During Zidane’s playing days, he was a staple in the Juventus midfield for five years. He won two Serie A titles with the Old Lady, but never a Champions League.
Zidane was on the losing side of two Champions League finals with Juventus, in 1997 and 1998. Juventus lost to Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid respectively. He was sold to Real Madrid in 2001 for a then-record fee of €77.5 Million.
He was appointed head coach of Real Madrid in 2016 and won three consecutive Champions Leagues with them. If he joins Juve, they will hope that his experience, as well as Ronaldo’s, will help them take that extra step.
