KIEV: Considered one of the all-time greats as a player, Zinedine Zidane was lauded with similar respect as a manager on Sunday after making more Champions League history with Real Madrid. The Spanish giants’ 3-1 win over Liverpool on a dramatic evening in Kiev allowed Zidane to become the first coach ever to win the Champions League in three consecutive seasons. “I am not the best coach tactically, but I have other things,” he said ahead of the final. Zidane has also had a fair amount of luck on his side, with Liverpool’s night being marred by the first-half injury to Mohamed Salah that forced off their best player. Nevertheless, guiding Real to the longest period of sustained success in Europe’s elite club competition since the 1970s means, statistically at least, his place in the pantheon of great coaches is secure.

Source: New Strait Times May 27, 2018 17:03 UTC