Zinedine Zidane Celebrates Flawless Year at Real Madrid

Despite the demands of success at Spanish football giants Real Madrid, Zinedine Zidane has made a seamless transition to senior management. Under Zidane Madrid have have enjoyed tremendous success, dominating opponents in the country and continent. The World Cup winner has transformed the fortunes of the club ever since he was promoted from Real's youth team Castilla. The Frenchman, after attaining legendary status as a player, is now being regarded as one of the finest managers in world football.

Zidane has won more trophies (three) than he has suffered defeats (two) in his first 53 games in charge.

After adding the Club World Cup to the Champions League and European Super Cup to end 2016, Zidane celebrates his first anniversary in charge at home to Sevilla on Wednesday in the Copa del Rey last 16 on a club record 37-game unbeaten run.

"Zidane last year changed our lives," Perez told AFP in a recent interview.

Hearts and minds

Despite being very much the president's man, Zidane hasn't been bowed by Perez's often perceived desire for the starting line-up to be determined by the number of shirts sold by his "Galactico" signings.

Zidane's own personal playing style was defined by his grace on the ball, but he has prioritised hard work.

More unheralded names such as Brazilian defensive midfielder Casemiro and Spanish winger Lucas Vazquez have earned their places in the side ahead of crowd favourites and media darlings like James Rodriguez and Isco.

Zidane's status as a former world great, and ability to still pull off a spectacular touch in training, means he has also won the hearts and minds of Real's ego-driven dressing room which many of his predecessors, particularly Benitez failed to cope with.

New year, new challenges

Yet, such are the demands at the Bernabeu, no coach is ever handed a long grace period should results turn and Real face an even tougher test to maintain their success in 2017.

Madrid's embarrassment at being thrown out of the Cup for fielding an ineligible player last season had the silver lining of allowing Zidane the luxury of just one game a week during his first month in charge to become acquainted with the job.

Instead, should Real reach the Copa del Rey semi-finals, they face 21 games in the next 11 weeks.

The target is for Zidane to deliver Real's most successful ever season by becoming the first side to retain the Champions League in 27 years and knock Barcelona off their perch as La Liga's dominant side in the past decade.

Real enjoy a comfortable three-point lead and a game in hand over Barcelona in the title race and are heavy favourites to see off Napoli in the last 16 of the Champions League.

However, Zidane's managerial mettle will be fully tested in trying to fend off a post Club World Cup slump caused by fatigue that Real and Barca have suffered in the past two seasons.

Injuries are already beginning to mount with Gareth Bale out until April, whilst Cristiano Ronaldo will be rested for Sevilla's visit on Wednesday.

Zidane has passed every test he has faced with flying colours in his first 12 months in charge. 2017 will determine whether there is more to his magic touch than beginner's luck.

(With inputs from AFP)