6 great footballers who became coaches
After French veteran Zinedine Zidane took over as Real Madrid coach, there are others too who have followed a similar path.
Zinedine Zidane will not find it easy to repeat the success he enjoyed as a player as he becomes a coach at the top level for the first time with Real Madrid. (Photo: AP)
In a time of crisis, Real Madrid have looked for inspiration rather than experience as club legend Zinedine Zidane was handed his first senior managerial role as the club's coach. Zidane replaces Rafael Benitez, who was sacked on Monday after just
Another three-time Ballon d'Or winner, van Basten's playing career was glorious until it was cut short due to injury at the age of 28. He was part of the AC Milan team that dominated in Italy and Europe in the late 1980s and early 1990s but the
The disgraced Platini, currently serving an eight-year ban from all footballing activities, was one of the great players of his generation but is not so well remembered for his time as a coach. The Frenchman was the great European player of his
Beckenbauer is one of just two men to win the World Cup as a player and a coach. He captained West Germany to victory against Cruyff's Netherlands at the 1974 World Cup and then coached his country to glory in Italy in 1990. He did win a Bundesliga
Nobody enjoyed such success as both a player and a coach as Cruyff, the man who defined the Dutch total football era of the 1970s. Cruyff won the Ballon d'Or three times. He retains a huge influence over those who run Ajax and Barcelona and Pep
In a time of crisis, Real Madrid have looked for inspiration rather than experience as club legend Zinedine Zidane was handed his first senior managerial role as the club's coach. Zidane replaces Rafael Benitez, who was sacked on Monday after just seven months and 25 games in charge. (Photo: AP)
Another three-time Ballon d'Or winner, van Basten's playing career was glorious until it was cut short due to injury at the age of 28. He was part of the AC Milan team that dominated in Italy and Europe in the late 1980s and early 1990s but the defining moment of his career was the stunning volleyed goal he produced in the Netherlands' 1988 European Championship final win against the Soviet Union. (Photo: AFP)
The disgraced Platini, currently serving an eight-year ban from all footballing activities, was one of the great players of his generation but is not so well remembered for his time as a coach. The Frenchman was the great European player of his generation, leading Les Bleus to glory at the 1984 European Championship and winning the European Cup with Juventus along with three Ballons d'Or. (Photo: AP)
Beckenbauer is one of just two men to win the World Cup as a player and a coach. He captained West Germany to victory against Cruyff's Netherlands at the 1974 World Cup and then coached his country to glory in Italy in 1990. He did win a Bundesliga title with Bayern in 1994 and the UEFA Cup in 1996 but he is better remembered for his upstairs role at the Bavarian giants. (Photo: AFP)
Nobody enjoyed such success as both a player and a coach as Cruyff, the man who defined the Dutch total football era of the 1970s. Cruyff won the Ballon d'Or three times. He retains a huge influence over those who run Ajax and Barcelona and Pep Guardiola is one of Cruyff's disciples, starring for him as a player before becoming a great coach in his own right. (Photo: AP)
Maradona led Argentina to glory at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico in which he also turned out for Barcelona, Napoli and Boca Juniors. He was suspended for two months by FIFA for telling members of the media to "suck it and keep on sucking it" after Argentina had secured their place at the finals. Following his departure after World Cup, he had a stint in charge of Al Wasl in the United Arab Emirates. (Photo: AFP)
Zinedine Zidane will not find it easy to repeat the success he enjoyed as a player as he becomes a coach at the top level for the first time with Real Madrid. (Photo: AP)
After French veteran Zinedine Zidane took over as Real Madrid coach, there are others too who have followed a similar path.

Next Story












