Eventually, in 2014, he seemed to set his course: He was handed the reins at Castilla, Real’s second team. Zidane’s 18 months there did little to create the impression that he would emerge as one of the best coaches of his generation. Pérez knew, at some point, public pressure would mount to hand him control of the first team. In private, he wondered if perhaps Olympique Marseille — Zidane’s hometown team — might ride to the rescue. Maybe Zidane could cut his teeth in the elite game there, then return to Madrid when he was ready.

Source: New York Times August 08, 2020 22:55 UTC