Zidane to be Mourinho’s ‘right-hand man’

(GSM) – Former Real Madrid star Zinedine Zidane is set to be handed a hands-on role at the Primera Division title-hopefuls alongside José Mourinho as early as next week.

Spanish daily Marca says Zidane met with Real president Florentino Perez and general manager Jorge Valdano to finalize a deal and the French legend could be in the dugout for the highly-anticipated Champions League return clash with Milan.

Mourinho told French TV channel TF1: “Zidane should be close to the pitch and less in the directors’ offices. I would like to see him more with me and less with Florentino.”

Zidane joined Real from Juventus for a then-recod sum of €75 million and retired after the World Cup in 2006 has heaped praise on the Portuguese coach.

“Speaking with Mourinho, one realises that he knows perfectly where he is going and how he is going to get there,” the frenchman told Direct Soir. “I do not have the slightest doubt: Real Madrid needed someone like him.

“Everybody says that he is a very kind man. I would have loved him to have trained me at some point in my career.”

Marca said that the 38-year-old is going to act as Mourinho’s “right-hand man” from the dugout. Zidane said: “I will be the avenue between the first team and the president. I would like to participate more in the life of the club.”