Florentino Perez ‘wants Zinedine Zidane back at Real Madrid’ next year

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez wants to bring Zinedine Zidane back as manager after one of the worst weeks in the club’s history, according to reports in Spain.

Santiago Solari is unlikely to remain in the job beyond the summer, after Real lost two Clasicos in four days and were dumped out the Champions League by Ajax.

Zidane guided Real to three successive Champions League titles but suddenly resigned last summer amid disagreements over transfer policy. 

However, according to Marca, Zidane has maintained a good relationship with Perez and the Madrid hierarchy – and continues to live in the city – leading them to believe he would be open to return in the summer. 

Former Real president Ramon Calderon has even claimed Zidane has turned down the chance of an immediate return to the club, but that he could come back at the end of the current season.

Calderon said on Wednesday, the day after Real were beaten 4-1 at home by Ajax in teh Champions League round of 16 second leg: ‘I know that this morning the president called Zidane to ask him back, he said not now. He has left open the possibility of coming back in June.’ 

Marca report that the Real hierarchy believe Zidane is open to a return to the Bernabeu

After leaving due to his unhappiness at recruitment plans, Zidane would return at a time when Real need to rebuild their squad. 

Gareth Bale and Isco have been linked with the Bernabeu exit, while youngsters such as Vinicius Junior are starting to gain greater first team influence. 

He has not taken up another managerial role since leaving Real, although he has been heavily linked with the jobs at Manchester United and Chelsea.

Zidane’s free agent status would make his easier to recruit than other candidates to replace Solari, such as Mauricio Pochettino and Max Allegri, while Marca claim former Real manager Jose Mourinho is not being considered.