So, Zinedine Zidane is back to sort out the mess at Real Madrid, with the club absolutely falling apart since his departure ten short months ago. The question now is, what will this do to the manager merry-go-round, and how will it add to the madness that is the summer transfer window?
Here’s a look at the winners and losers from this deal, with mixed news for Chelsea, Manchester United, Juventus and others…
WINNERS
Eden Hazard
A known Zidane fan. Could this be what clinches Hazard’s long-awaited move to the Bernabeu? That contract is still not signed, and let’s not forget what a love-in the pair have been involved in together in the past:
“Everyone knows the respect I have for Zidane as a player, but also as a manager. He was my idol,” Hazard told Belgian TV in 2017, as quoted by the Telegraph. “I do not know what will happen in the future. However, for sure, to play under Zidane would be a dream.”
“After Messi and Ronaldo, Hazard is my favourite player. It is spectacular to see him play,” Zidane was quoted by Sky Sports back in 2015.
Chelsea may well have had a chance of keeping Hazard if there weren’t that added lure of Zidane waiting for him in Spain, but that task looks a great deal harder now.
Chelsea fans should probably be worried about Eden Hazard
Maurizio Sarri
Still a winner despite potentially losing his star player, Sarri should at least have a better shot of holding on to his job now after this development.
The Sun recently claimed Zidane was close to an agreement to take over from the struggling Italian at Stamford Bridge, but clearly that claim proved wide of the mark.
With the Frenchman now off the market, the options look a lot more limited for Chelsea, who may well decide to stick with what they’ve got instead.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
Impressing as interim manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer may well have the Manchester United job wrapped up anyway.
Still, the Evening Standard recently claimed Zidane was still one of the candidates in mind for the Red Devils, so Solskjaer can be relieved that he’ll no longer be in the frame.
Other big names may still be available and tempting for Man Utd, but Zidane’s success means he would surely have been one of the biggest threats to Solskjaer getting the job.
The Norwegian will be a happy man tonight.