Former France great Zidane begins coaching career with Real Madrid

MADRID, Spain – Former France great Zinedine Zidane began his head coaching career Monday after taking charge of Real Madrid’s reserve team.

Zidane, 42, served as an assistant coach to Carlo Ancelotti last season as Madrid won a Champions League-Copa del Rey double.

The former Madrid player led Madrid’s reserves, which competes in the second division in Spain, through their first preseason training drills at the club’s Valdebebas facility. Zidane had been linked to the head coaching position at French club Bordeaux before taking over Madrid’s reserves.

Also, Gareth Bale was among 11 Madrid first team players undergoing medicals on Monday ahead of the start of the new season. Defenders Alvaro Arbeloa and Dani Carvajal, midfielder Asier Illarramendi, striker Alvaro Morata and goalkeeper Diego Lopez were also on-hand Monday.