what it takes to be a success as Real Madrid boss and
believes that already knowing the dressing room gives the
Frenchman a huge advantage.
Zidane played under Del Bosque for Madrid between 2001
and 2003, winning the Champions League and La Liga
before Real president Florentino Perez controversially
decided against renewing the coach's contract.
Del Bosque has since gone on to lead Spain to a World Cup
and European Championship crown, while Zidane (an
assistant to Carlo Ancelotti at Real in 2013-14) is just
starting his coaching career after taking over from Rafa
Benitez at the Santiago Bernabeu earlier this month.
"Sometimes it’s a box of surprises," Del Bosque told Goal
when asked in an exclusive interview how his former player
will fare as coach. "But he has the preparation, the
formation, good knowledge of the sport, he knows the
dressing room and how certain situations are managed."
Zidane could be in for some trying times as Real (and also
Atletico) now face a two-window transfer ban for
irregularities in the recruitment of young players - similar to
the one suffered by Barcelona in 2015.
Del Bosque, who worked with the youth sides at Madrid
before stepping up to the first team, says the sanction is bad
news for Spanish football, but believes the regulations need
to be respected and also gave an insight into how the
recruitment of young players has changed in recent years.
"When I worked at Real Madrid they were different times," he
said. "Now it’s not better nor worse, and the people who
work in the youth teams, I’m sure they do so with the
greatest enthusiasm and ability, but we tried to take
advantage of everything that Madrid offered.
"We didn’t have much money. We looked around Spain for
those 20 to 30 lads who could bring different things to our
youth system. And now the borders have opened, and they
look for younger players from elsewhere.
"I don’t like the ban, for Spanish football, because they are
not meeting the requirements for bringing in players so
young, but I assume they are well taken care of and I’m sure
for them it’s a fantastic experience. I don’t see it as a
negative thing that players are coming in from elsewhere.
Times change and you have to adapt. It’s not better or
worse. But of course, you have to meet the FIFA regulations
as well."
Also on the subject of FIFA, there was no place in the FIFPro
XI once more for Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets at the
Ballon d'Or ceremony in Zurich recently, while Atletico's
players missed out similarly the previous year following
their spectacular season in 2013-14.
"I think we all agree [that they were overlooked]," Del Bosque
said. "Also [Diego] Simeone, who has done a fantastic job in
recent years. But they have the recognition of everyone.
Hardly anyone questions them.
"Everyone knows the importance of Sergio for Barcelona and
the national team, and the work that is being done by
Atletico."
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