Zidane Refuses To Look Too Far Into Real Madrid Future After Champions League Progression
Zinedine Zidane says he will not have the same longevity at Real Madrid as Sir Alex Ferguson did at Manchester United after seeing his side progress into the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League.
Los Blancos defeated Bundesliga side Borussia Monchengladbach 2-0 at the Alfredo Di Stefano stadium on Wednesday to finish top of the group despite an unconvincing group stage campaign.
Zidane had come under pressure in recent weeks after losses to Alaves in La Liga and Shakhtar Donetsk but the win over Sevilla last weekend and Wednesday’s victory over Marco Rose’s men has eased the pressure on the Frenchman.
The 48-year-old, who is in his second spell as Real Madrid manager, is well aware of the need to succeed at the 13-time European champions and does not think too far into the future.
"I am never going to be Madrid's [Sir Alex] Ferguson, that's for sure," he told reporters, in reference to Manchester United's legendary boss who spent more than 20 years at Old Trafford.
"I don't know how long I am going to stay here, I don't think about it.
"I am very lucky to be at this club and I like being happy even in the most difficult times ... I have lived in Spain, in Madrid for a long time and I want to carry on a while longer.
"Madrid come through under pressure, without pressure ... well, that doesn't exist here! We cannot play well all the time.
"We read the game very well, because [Gladbach] are an opponent who can make you pay in the transition and we played spectacularly well.
"I won't tell you what I said to the players, but all of Madrid can be proud of what they did today on the field."
