New Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane says there is no chance Cristiano Ronaldo will leave the club while he is in charge, Sky Sports reports.
Zidane begins his reign at the Santiago
Bernabeu on Saturday, when the club begins life after Rafael Benitez
with a home clash against Deportivo La Coruna.
Ronaldo’s future in Spain had come into
question amid reports of tension between him and Benitez, and the Daily
Telegraph hinted he may still look to leave in the summer despite
Zidane’s appointment on Monday.
The 30-year-old has constantly been
linked with a move back to the Premier League, where he enjoyed great
success under Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United.
But the Frenchman was unequivocal about
his desire to keep Ronaldo at the club, when he said: “Cristiano is more
than untransferable, he’s the soul of this Madrid. As long as I’m here
he won’t leave, that’s for sure.
“Cristiano will play along the wing and
he’ll play whatever happens. I’m going to give few instructions to
Cristiano, his record talks for itself.
“The only thing I want is that he feels happy, at ease.”
It appears the transfer window could be a quiet one for Zidane, who said movement in and out of the club would be unlikely.
“Possible departures, I don’t think and I don’t want. Signings neither, I have a big squad and am satisfied with it,” he added.
Zidane’s first game in charge is a tough
one, as Deportivo have only lost three games all season and their
seventh position owes a lot to the fact nine of their 18 games have
ended in draws.
Real sit in third, four points behind
leaders and city rivals Atletico Madrid, and Zidane is expected to
change their tactical approach, which could benefit the likes of James
Rodriguez and Isco.
Source: PUNCHNGR