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Zinedine Zidane doesn’t want to be compared to Pep Guardiola

By Marco D'Onofrio

Aug 3, 2014; Portland, OR, USA; Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola directs plays during Bayern Munich training in preparation for the 2014 MLS All Star Game at University of Portland Merlo Field. Mandatory Credit: Susan Ragan-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 3, 2014; Portland, OR, USA; Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola directs plays during Bayern Munich training in preparation for the 2014 MLS All Star Game at University of Portland Merlo Field. Mandatory Credit: Susan Ragan-USA TODAY Sports /
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With Zinedine Zidane officially being named the new Real Madrid coach on Monday, comparisons between him Pep Guardiola, have already begun. 

On Monday, Real Madrid president, Florentino Perez, confirmed that the club had decided to sack Rafa Benitez in favor of Zinedine Zidane. The Frenchman doesn’t have any experience as a head coach, but had won everything on the pitch as a player.

His former rival, Pep Guardiola, was in a similar position when he took over the helm at Barcelona in 2008. Although the Spaniard had spent a year in charge of the club’s B team, he had little experience coaching top level talent, and many were skeptical about his appointment as the team’s new tactician.

He quickly proved critics wrong though, winning the league in three consecutive seasons, as well as, claiming two UEFA Champions League titles, two Club World Cups, and two Copa del Rey championships, within those three years.

With immediate success like that, it is not hard to see why Zidane was quick to brush off any comparisons between him and Guardiola.

"“You shouldn’t make comparisons with me and Guardiola. He has achieved incredible things,” the French legend said. “Guardiola is Guardiola. I will do my best. I will not compare myself with anyone. I never did it as a player and I won’t do it now.”"

Unlike the Spaniard, Zidane won’t have the luxury of the start of a new season, with Los Blancos currently sitting third in the La Liga table. They trail both Atletico Madrid and Barcelona, and have already been eliminated from the Copa del Rey for fielding an ineligible player. Real Madrid remain alive in the Champions League though, having won their group and are now set to take on Roma in the Round of 16.

"“To win is essential at this club. The target always is to win the Champions League and I will try to make that possible,” said Zidane."

Zidane’s first game in charge takes place on Saturday, when his side host Deportivo La Coruna.

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