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

#3 Zinedine Zidane

Zidane poses with the UCL trophy

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.