New Delhi:
Legendary French football star and Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane has committed his future to Real Madrid by signing a three-year contract extension with the La Liga champions. The new deal will keep the Frenchman at Santiago Bernabeu through to 2020. "I'm happy because it's a sign of confidence, that we have done good work," Zidane told a pre-match press conference ahead of Real's Spanish Super Cup showdown with Barcelona when quizzed on reports over his future.
"I enjoy every day here," added Zidane, who also ended his illustrious playing career at the Santiago Bernabeu. "I'm lucky enough to have this extraordinary squad and Iam very happy with it."
Zidane added a sixth trophy to his burgeoning collection as a coach when Madrid saw off Manchester United 2-1 to retainthe UEFA Super Cup on Tuesday. However, he acknowledged that even his future will depend on maintaining his winning streak given the high demands placed on coaches at Madrid.
"You could sign a contract for 10 or 20 years, but I know where I am and what I have to do," he continued. "Within a year you could be gone." Zidane also warned the European champions against a Barcelona backlash at the Camp Nou on Sunday (kick off2000 GMT). Barca are still reeling from the loss of Neymar to Paris Saint-Germain for a world record 222 million euros ($262million) with their attempts to land a replacement in Liverpool's Philippe Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele of Borussia Dortmund so far falling short.
Zidane admitted "there aren't many players" with Neymar'sindividual qualities, but claimed his absence wouldn't give Madrid the upper hand over two El Clasico clashes in four days with the second leg of the Super cup to come at the Bernabeu on Wednesday. "They have had changes but Barcelona are Barcelona. We know how they play and their idea of how to play isn't going to change," said Zidane. "Neymar isn't replaceable but there will be others that will do very well. If we think it is going to be easier tomorrow we will be mistaken."
With PTI inputs
