David Beckham revealed through different statements during an interview with the Spanish magazine, Semanal, that he thinks Real Madrid should give his former team mate at the club, Zinedine Zidane, some time in order to succeed; regardless of what happens in the upcoming Champions League final.
Zidane fell just short of steering the club to La Liga glory, with Real finishing one point behind Barcelona, but can claim his first title since replacing Rafa Benitez earlier this year in the May 28 Champions League final against city rivals Atletico in Milan.
“It would be good if Zizou (Zidane) continues for some time and that they maintain the players they have today” said Beckham, adding “Even if they don’t win the Champions League, it would be good to let Zizou work.”
“Stability is key, not just in every aspect of life but in business” he said.
Zidane and former England captain Beckham played together at Real from 2003 until 2006 before the French great retired from soccer.
“Besides being a great friend, he is the person that is most passionate about soccer and Real Madrid that I have met and the best player I’ve ever played with,” Beckham said.
Zidane was Carlo Ancelotti’s assistant in 2013 when Real won the Champions League and had been coaching Real’s reserve team, Castilla, in the third division before being named Real’s 11th boss in 12 years. Further, the latter was named La Liga’s Manager of the Month for April.
“I wasn’t born to coach but Zizou, yes,” Beckham said.
Beckham said Zidane is one special player, highlighting that he won everything, was chosen the best player in the world several times, stressing that there is no former player who garners more respect and admiration as much as Zidane does.
“At this time, they (Real) must be very happy with Zizou” he said.
“His job in any case is very difficult because in the last five years, Madrid have had to face the best Barca in history.”
Real have failed to win La Liga since the 2011-12 campaign while Barca celebrated their sixth league title in eight seasons last weekend.
“Barca is a monster, a well thought out and constructed team, with youngsters that are promoted from the youth team and with (Lionel) Messi, who is from another planet,” Beckham said.
“When you compete against a team like that one, everything becomes more complicated.”