Julio Baptista has supported his ex-Real Madrid colleague Zinedine Zidane as a potential Manchester United manager, describing the iconic figure as an ‘amazing coach’.
Zidane has been frequently connected to the Old Trafford job, but has never appeared close to taking it, seemingly not too concerned about a move to England.
The Frenchman has had two periods in charge of Real Madrid, achieving two La Liga titles and an outstanding three Champions League victories.
He has been without a team since that second period ended in 2021 and is still being considered for the Manchester United job, as well as roles with Paris Saint-Germain and the France national team.
Baptista, the former Arsenal forward who played with Zidane at Real Madrid, states that the Frenchman was the finest teammate he ever had, is an extraordinary coach and could potentially be seen on the touchline at Old Trafford in the future.
‘Zidane was the finest player I have ever played with,’ Baptista exclusively told Ladbrokes Fanzone. ‘Playing with him and being in the same dressing room was very special. He is among the finest in the world.
‘During training sessions, he would do remarkable things, but he is a very good person. I see him frequently and we like to reminisce about our time together at Real Madrid. My fondest memory with him was actually his final game at Real Madrid against Villareal. We won 3-3 and I scored two goals. I was so pleased to have performed well and scored to provide him with good memories of his final game.
‘I believe he will be a Premier League manager someday. He is an extraordinary coach, with remarkable experience having won the Champions League, so I can envisage that happening. I can imagine him going to Manchester United.’
Baptista’s brief time in the Premier League occurred on loan from Real Madrid with the Gunners in the 2006-07 season, during which he scored 10 goals in all competitions.
One player left a significant impression on him during his time in the Premier League, with John Terry being noted as his most challenging opponent.
‘John Terry was the most challenging player I have faced,’ said the Brazilian. ‘He was so robust, so swift, and he anticipated the actions of the players. He was an exceptional defender.’
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