Zinedine Zidane dismisses Pep Guardiola comparisons as Real Madrid boss
New Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane says comparisons with Pep Guardiola are wide of the mark.
The former Real midfielder replaced Rafael Benitez on Monday, prompting suggestions his elevation echoed that of Guardiola’s at Barcelona.
But Zidane said: “You shouldn’t make comparisons with me and Guardiola. He has achieved incredible things.”
Guardiola, an ex-Barca player, managed the club’s B side before guiding the first team to unprecedented success.
Under Guardiola, Barca won 14 trophies in four years, including the Champions League, La Liga and Copa del Rey in his first season.
Zidane, a World Cup winner with France in 1998, was Real’s B side boss prior to his surprise promotion following Benitez’s sacking.
Zidane’s first game in charge of the first team will be Saturday’s clash with Deportivo La Coruna at the Bernabeu.
Guardiola confirmed on Tuesday he wants to manage in the Premier League when he leaves Bayern Munich at the end of this season.
“Guardiola is a fantastic coach and what he is doing is very impressive,” added Zidane, 43.
“Guardiola is Guardiola. I will do my best. I will not compare myself with anyone. I never did it as a player and I won’t do it now.”
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