Zidane first press conference: “When you put this shirt on everything is possible”

 Zidane: “When you put this shirt on everything is possible”

NEWS | 05/01/2016

“I'm ready for the challenge, I'm motivated and excited", added the new Whites' manager.  

Zinedine Zidane gave his first press conference as manager of Real Madrid. The coach was accompanied by Emilio Butragueño, director of institutional relations, who welcomed him saying: “You are a legend at our club and someone who is loved. During five seasons you delighted us with your game and today you take on your role directing from the bench. You know the club very well and we are convinced you will have a lot of success".

The French manager later responded to questions from the media in the press room at the Santiago Bernabéu: “I have a good feeling. I'm ready for the challenge, I'm motivated and excited. It's going to be a difficult challenge for me but I’m up for it. I'm looking forward to taking this opportunity with the best team in the world. I only want to win trophies with this team". 

The European Cup

“Winning it is fundamental for this club. We're in the round of 16 and it's always been the objective to win the Champions League, and it always will be. When you put this shirt on everything is possible, any objective can be real". 

Objective

“I want to bring the exciting game that this club has always had. The important thing is to play football and my job will be based on playing from the back, progressing in to the opposition half quickly and having possession of the ball. I would be happy to win everything. Our objective is to win, we've got two trophies that we can win and we're going to try until the end of the year".

Message for the fans 

“I'll say to them the same as to the players: excitement. We're going to try to excite the fans like always. The fans here know their football and we're going to try to do everything to make them happy and proud of us".

First impression 

“My first words have been important for all the players because we've trained in front of the fans. I said to them that I'm very happy to be beside them, that a new adventure is starting and that we are going to try to do everything possible to complete the objectives". 

Pressure 

“It's fair. I'm going to try to entertain and in every game we will go out to win playing well, working hard and giving our all, they are the values of madridismo. I'm going to try and do it like that, playing well. I made the decision yesterday. It happened quickly, they offered it to me and I accepted". 

The squad

“You have to be close to the players and have a good relationship with all of them. I'm responsible for the team and I want everything to go well. The way the players are handled will be different to with the Castilla players because they are experienced players and Real Madrid players. The message for them will be the same, it will be based around the hard work and intensity which we will have in every game and the excitement that will go in to every training session".

“It's definitely a difficult challenge. I'm sure of the work that I'm going to do day to day with my players. I don't speak a lot for the press, but the day to day work is fundamental and important. I'm looking forward to transmitting one thing to the players: winning". 

I have seen a team that is focused, lively and hardworking.

“Football has always been important here. The most important thing is to see nice football and I'm going to go down that line: Nice football and balance. We're going to work in order to do as well as possible on the pitch".

His image in the dressing room 

“It's important because I'm part of this club as a player. This is a new phase and he most important thing is to do things well with my players and win games. The only thing important to me is winning games.

Changing the manager in the middle of the season 

“The important thing is to keep the players' spirits high, I think they've done a good job. We have to think that the work done by Benitez has been good and I want to wish him all the best for the future. My message is work. We are going to try to do things right, help the players and that is all. I hope that my football is positive and balanced. That Is what I want to bring and going forward we'll see".

James, Isco, Modric and Kovacic

“The entire team is going to be important. They are great players and they are going to be improtant for me, the fans and for everyone. In the future we will see the side that is going to play".

Bale

“I understand that he may be annoyed with Benítez leaving because he was an important manager for him, but he will get the same care from he. He is a crucial player for the side and I can say nothing else. I am going to give him all the possible care and support so that he plays well".

The BBC

“I am always going to play with the three. That is my clear idea".

Comparison with other managers

“There is no need to do that. Guardiola is Guardiola and I am going to try and do things as well as possible. Guardiola is a fantastic manager and is doing really well, but I am not going to make comparisons. The day to day work is what is important and what I am going to contribute to the squad. I am going to do everything possible to ensure that everyone works well". 

"It is true that I knew Mourinho, Ancelotti and many of the players. I have always taken something from each of them and they have always given me something important because they have experience. What I have to do is be the manager that I want to be. The important thing is to do what is right for the players. I have to be Zidane".

Ancelotti

“I have had him as a manager too and I worked with him as assistant coach. What he told me is that the most important thing is to win games and for the players to be in good form".

Differences with Benítez

“I am going to try to add a personal touch and an attacking touch. I will try to maintain my managerial playing style and I want to get the players to have a good time out on the pitch. I have to contribute something more and that is what I am going to do on a day to day basis with my work".

His assistant coach and contract

“There are people that have already worked with me at Castilla. That is my working team and we are not going to look for an assistant manager. I have a two and a half years' contract. We have yet to talk about the contract as first team manager. We will do soon".

http://www.realmadrid.com/en/news/2016/01/zidane-“when-you-put-this-shirt-on-everything-is-possible”

Zinedine Zidane: new coach of Real Madrid.

Zinedine Zidane: new coach of Real Madrid

NEWS | 04/01/2016 | Javier García

"There can be no doubt that Zidane is one of the game's all-time great figures", declared Florentino Pérez.

Zinedine Zidane is the new coach of Real Madrid. The Whites' president, Florentino Pérez, revealed the appointment at a press conference held at the Santiago Bernabéu on Monday following the conclusion of the meeting of the club's Board of Directors: "Good evening, first of all thank you to everyone for being here at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu. I appear before you to announce the agreements just reached by the Board of Directors of Real Madrid".

"Today we have made the difficult decision, particularly for me, to terminate the contract of Rafa Benítez as first-team coach. I wish to underline that he is a great professional and a magnificent person, and I would like to take this opportunity to place on record my gratitude to him for his hard work and dedication during his months as coach of Real Madrid".

A great of the global game

"I would also like to announce that the Real Madrid Board of Directors have decided to name Zinedine Zidane as the new coach of the first team. There can be no doubt that Zidane is one of the game's all-time great figures. He knows better than anyone just what it means to lead the Real Madrid first-team squad. He's fully aware of how tough and at the same time how exciting this demanding position is. Furthermore, Zidane knows the players, as many of them lifted the club's tenth European Cup in Lisbon with him as assistant coach".

Florentino Pérez: "Zidane knows better than anyone just what it means to lead the Real Madrid squad".

"Throughout his whole life, Zidane has shown an ability to meet football's greatest challenges, and has always tackled them with dedication and talent. Zinedine Zidane, this is your stadium and this is your club. You have our complete confidence and our support in the task of bringing excitement and entertainment to the supporters in each and every game, and the fans will be right by your side. As of now, you are the coach of Real Madrid and, for me as president, it's a source of pride to have you by my side because I also know that for you the word 'impossible' does not exist".

Zidane: "I'm going to put my heart and soul into this club"

"Firstly, I'd like to express my gratitude to the club and to you, presi, for giving me the opportunity to coach this team. We're the best club in the world, with the best fans in the world. What we have to do, and what I'm going to try to do, is make every possible effort to see this team win something this season. I'm going to work as hard as I can and to the best of my ability with all the players, and I believe that everything will turn out well. The most important thing is to get down to work with the team tomorrow".

"Many thanks to everyone. It's an important day for me, as I'm sure is the case for everyone, and I'm excited, even more so than when I signed as a player; but that's to be expected. All I can say is that I'm going to put my heart and soul into this club to try to ensure everything turns out well".

The event concluded with Pérez, Zidane, his wife and sons, and members of the club's Board of Directors posing for a series of group photographs.

http://www.realmadrid.com/en/news/2016/01/zinedine-zidane-new-coach-of-real-madrid

Ladecima .. Kings of Europe

THE WHITES WON THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE AFTER AN EPIC MATCH AGAINST ATLÉTICO THAT FINISHED 4-1 AFTER EXTRA TIME.

Nights like that the one in Lisbon on 24 May 2014 are part of the reason why Real Madrid was named the best team of the Twentieth Century. The most successful club in history returns to its rightful place after winning a tenth European Cup. Twelve years on from Zidane's volley in Glasgow, which froze time, the Whites once again reign supreme. And it was worth the wait.

The manner in which the final was won perfectly sums up Real Madrid's greatness. Firstly, the players' work leading up to the final saw them put together a perfect track record, of which their performances in Gelsenkirchen and Munich will go down in history. Secondly, because of how the game played out, with the Real Madrid players displaying the club's virtues of hard work and not throwing in the towel. And, all of that, culminated in a global celebration for Real Madrid fans.

Madrid never give up

When Real Madrid are in action, anything is possible. And the final in Lisbon was further evidence of just that. Ancelotti's men were superior but bad luck saw them still trailing 0-1 in the 92nd minute. But the grit and determination, as well as the history that embody the club's crest, were for all to see when Sergio Ramos scored with his head. Following that, Bale, Marcelo and Cristiano sealed Real Madrid's victory in extra time.

“It was a party worldwide, I've never seen scenes like the ones I saw after winning the Tenth. Real Madrid is turning into a global religion”, declared Ancelotti. And he is not exaggerating, because winning the most highly anticipated of all the trophies sparked off massive celebrations among the fans who travelled to Lisbon, the ones who watched on the big screens in the Bernabéu's, those who made their way to Cibeles, those who attended the Tenth party in the stadium, but also the supporters who watched in other parts of the world.

A triumph for Real Madrid 
The Tenth European Cup title belongs, as Ramos said, “to all Real Madrid's fans”. A title that inspired a team to create a special atmosphere for all of their Champions League matches. “The wait was worth it“, pointed out the team captain, Iker Casillas. But Madrid never sleeps. Now the time has come to think about the Eleventh.

http://www.realmadrid.com/en/news/2014/06/the-tenth?pid=1383833298379

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Florentino Pérez: “It's a win for the players and for the fans"

NEWS | 24/05/2014

“Overcoming every challenge is in our DNA, but now it's time to enjoy the Décima”, he stated.

Real Madrid were in ecstasy in Lisbon and Florentino Pérez spoke of his joy at the end of the match. “This is a win for the players and for the fans, who have managed to grow Real Madrid's legend with the magic number that is the Décima. I feel proud to be the president of a club that has these players, of the effort and hard work all year and of the fans, because they got us here”.

“The best thing about this club is the culture of the fans, which is passed down from parents to their children, who will already be thinking about the eleventh European Cup. That is what makes Real Madrid eternal. I would like to thank, congratulate and dedicate this to all the fans around the entire world”.

Pride

“All Madrid fans are very happy. I feel proud of everything that surrounds Real Madrid. The legend of this club has been built by the players, but with fans who have always demanded a lot. Overcoming every challenge is in our DNA, but now it's time to enjoy the Décima”.

THE LEGEND OF THIS CLUB HAS BEEN BUILT BY THE PLAYERS, BUT WITH FANS WHO HAVE ALWAYS DEMANDED A LOT.

"Ancelotti has come and he has delivered us the Décima in his first year. It has been a difficult year as we had a new coach in addition to seven new players, but they've all worked very hard and we must thank them. They have all won the Décima, they have done a very good job, had a great season and played a great final".

The goal from Ramos

“The goal wasn’t coming, but Sergio Ramos, who has had his best ever season, gave great pleasure to all Madrid fans in drawing us level, and after extra time, in able being able to lift this European Cup".

The opponents

“Atlético have had a great season and played a great Champions League final. They made it very hard for us and I want to tip my hat to the opponents. I want to congratulate their president and all the players. They have great fans and they showed it".

http://www.realmadrid.com/en/news/2014/05/florentino-perez-its-a-win-for-the-players-and-for-the-fans