Top 5 players from the 21st century who became excellent managers

#3 Zinedine Zidane

In terms of playing career, Zinedine Zidane was unarguably the most successful of everyone on this list and to a larger extent one of the most successful of all time.

In a glittering playing career that saw him represent clubs like Bordeaux, Juventus, and Real Madrid, Zizou won everything there was to win at club level, in addition to a Ballon d'Or and three FIFA World Best Player wins, while also starring in the French sides that won the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000.

Upon his retirement, the Marseille native tried his hands at coaching, first with the youth sides of Real Madrid before being promoted to become Carlo Ancelotti's assistant at the helm from where he helped the club win the long-sought-after La Decima in 2014.

The sacking of Rafa Benitez in February 2016 saw Zidane appointed as the first-team manager and he went on to record unprecedented success particularly on the continent, with a three-peat in the Champions League as well LaLiga and FIFA Club World Club triumphs added to his managerial CV.

He is currently handling Los Blancos for a second spell but it remains to be seen if he can match his lofty standards.

About the author

Elvis is a seasoned football journalist and has been with Sportskeeda for more than 6 years. He specializes in writing match previews across several leagues and competitions around the world, and his insightful tips have amassed a total readership in excess of 9.2 million till date. Elvis' meticulous attention to detail and strictly following SK's editorial guidelines have been key to achieving a vast readership. He has also exclusively covered the 2021 Nigerian Universiy Games and has provided research for an upcoming biography for a Nigerian football legend.

Elvis has been a Super Eagles fan since 2004, and them beating defending champions Cameroon in the AFCON that year left a lasting impact on him. He supports Sporting Lagos at club level and loves to watch games live at the Onikan Stadium due to its buzzing atmosphere. His favorite football players are former Nigerian forward, Osaze Odemwingie and former Real Madrid legend Raul Gonzalez.

If Elvis could change one football rule, it would be to not be booked for celebrating with pitch side fans. He believes that football is a passionate game and celebrations should be encouraged to the fullest. When not analyzing the latest previews, Elvis indulges in activities such as swimming, reading, and karaoke.

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Edited by Zaid Khan