Who Was Madrid Manager Before Zidane?

By Anna Duncan

If you are a football fan, especially of Real Madrid, you may be curious to know who was managing the team before Zinedine Zidane took charge. Let’s take a look at the history of Real Madrid’s managerial position.

The Pre-Zidane Era

Before Zidane took over as the manager of Real Madrid in January 2016, there were several other managers who tried to lead the team to glory. The list includes some big names in football management.

Rafael Benitez

Before Zidane, Rafael Benitez was in charge of Real Madrid for a short period. He took over from Carlo Ancelotti, who was sacked after a disappointing season. Benitez had previously managed Liverpool FC and Chelsea FC and had a good reputation as a tactician.

However, his stint at Real Madrid was not as successful as expected. He faced criticism for his defensive tactics and the team’s lackluster performances. After just seven months in charge, he was sacked by president Florentino Perez.

Carlo Ancelotti

Carlo Ancelotti is another big name on this list. He managed Real Madrid from 2013-2015 and led them to their much-awaited La Decima (10th Champions League) trophy in his first season. The following season, he won the Club World Cup and Copa del Rey but failed to win any major trophy in his third season.

Despite his success, he was sacked by Perez due to the lack of silverware that season.

Jose Mourinho

Jose Mourinho is one of the most successful managers in modern football history. He managed Real Madrid from 2010-2013 and won La Liga in his second season after breaking Barcelona’s dominance under Pep Guardiola.

However, despite winning three trophies with the club (La Liga, Copa del Rey, and Supercopa de Espana), he had a controversial relationship with the media, players, and fans. He left the club by mutual consent at the end of his third season.

Manuel Pellegrini

Manuel Pellegrini was in charge of Real Madrid from 2009-2010. He led the team to second place in La Liga, just one point behind champions Barcelona. However, he failed to win any major trophy and was sacked by Perez at the end of the season.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Real Madrid has had some big names in football management before Zinedine Zidane took over. While each manager brought their own style and tactics to the team, Zidane’s success in winning three consecutive Champions League trophies is unmatched. Nevertheless, it’s important to remember and appreciate the contributions of previous managers who laid the foundation for Real Madrid’s success.