Ivan Campo Backs Zinedine Zidane to Succeed at Real Madrid: 'Zizou Is a God!'

Zinedine Zidane's former Real Madrid team-mate Ivan Campo has heaped praise on the new boss of the Spanish giants.

The Frenchman took over following Rafa Benitez's sacking earlier this month and has overseen 5-0 and 5-1 wins in his first two games in charge of the club.

And Campo, who spent five years at the Santiago Bernabeu between 1998 and 2003, believes Zidane has what it takes to start a legacy in Madrid.

"Zizou is a god! I think that some of the problems affecting Real Madrid are going to be solved immediately," he told the International Business Times, via Goal.com.

Zidane represented Los Blancos 225 times, scoring 49 goals, and Campo believes his experience with the club sets him apart from his predecessor.

"In order to succeed in a huge team it is mandatory to know what goes on inside the dressing room. Football stars want to play week in week out, but only 11 can play," he said. "You need something else than knowing how hard it is to deal with this situation.

"You need to show experience and convey respect. We have seen many situations where it all fell apart because the manager was not able to convey respect; that is the main difference between Zidane and Benitez, for example.

"The players are going to be much calmer under Zidane. A couple of words will be enough to leave everything clear. It is easier to persuade Cristiano Ronaldo, Bale or Karim Benzema to press the rivals if you are Zidane."

Madrid, who sit behind Barcelona and Atletico in La Liga following Sunday's thrashing of Sporting Gijon, have endured a tough few weeks due to their expulsion from the Copa del Rey and an imposed transfer ban.

Francisco Seco/Associated Press

But Campo believes Zidane has what it takes to become to Madrid what Pep Guardiola was for Barcelona.

"He is going to succeed because the Bernabeu support adore him and he knows what is required for success at the club; communication, respect and calmness inside the dressing room," he said.

"I know he might have to deal with a Fifa transfer ban, and that Madrid are now in third position, but supporters and club are looking for their own Pep Guardiola. He will be given time and patience to do his job."

Patience is not necessarily a virtue club president Florentino Perez is known for...

[Goal.com]