ZIDANE HAS THE TALENT AND EXPERIENCE TO SUCCEED AS REAL MADRID MANAGER SAYS HIERRO

Spain and Real Madrid legendary defender Fernando Hierro says the Los Blancos manager Zinedine Zidane has the experience to succeed at the helm of his darling club.

The Galatico had an astonishing opening few games, hammering Deportivo La Coruna, Sporting Gijon and Espanyol at the Bernabeu, but out of the Liga title race with draws at Real Betis and Malaga and a painful home defeat to arch rivals Atletico Madrid.

But the former Spain and Real Madrid captain and three-time Champions League winner told Canal Sur Radio, in quotes reported by AS,
"Zizou is very relaxed, he has a fantastic challenge in his life and for sure he will take advantage of it," Hierro said. "He knows where he is. There are people who say he lacks experience, but he has had 18 months preparation at Castilla, and had the best coaches in the world when he was a player. You learn from everyone. After retiring, you pick up concrete things from each one, and you apply your own vision."
Hierro said he did not expect the team to throw in the towel domestically, as the day to day work of preparing for La Liga games would help them be physically and mentally ready for the demands of a successful Champions League campaign.
"If there is a team that never stops fighting it is Madrid," he said. "They have a great squad and some magnificent players. In La Liga they are far from the title, you must admit it, but they will not give up. From there, the Champions League depends a lot on the draw, who you have to play. But it is fundamental not to disconnect from your day to day work, physically and mentally."