Zidane knows Real Madrid dressing room - and that's the most important thing

Zidane knows Real Madrid dressing room - and that's the most important thing - Spain coach Vicente del Bosque says Zinedine Zidane has what it takes to be a success as Real Madrid boss and believes that already knowing the dressing room gives the Frenchman a huge advantage.

Zidane played under Del Bosque for Madrid between 2001 and 2003, winning the Champions League and La Liga before Real president Florentino Perez controversially decided against renewing the coach's contract.

Del Bosque has since gone on to lead Spain to a World Cup and European Championship crown, while Zidane (an assistant to Carlo Ancelotti at Real in 2013-14) is just starting his coaching career after taking over from Rafa Benitez at the Santiago Bernabeu earlier this month.

"Sometimes it’s a box of surprises," Del Bosque told Goal when asked in an exclusive interview how his former player will fare as coach. "But he has the preparation, the formation, good knowledge of the sport, he knows the dressing room and how certain situations are managed."

 Zidane could be in for some trying times as Real (and also Atletico) now face a two-window transfer ban for irregularities in the recruitment of young players - similar to the one suffered by Barcelona in 2015.

Del Bosque, who worked with the youth sides at Madrid before stepping up to the first team, says the sanction is bad news for Spanish football, but believes the regulations need to be respected and also gave an insight into how the recruitment of young players has changed in recent years.

"When I worked at Real Madrid they were different times," he said. "Now it’s not better nor worse, and the people who work in the youth teams, I’m sure they do so with the greatest enthusiasm and ability, but we tried to take advantage of everything that Madrid offered.

"We didn’t have much money. We looked around Spain for those 20 to 30 lads who could bring different things to our youth system. And now the borders have opened, and they look for younger players from elsewhere.

"I don’t like the ban, for Spanish football, because they are not meeting the requirements for bringing in players so young, but I assume they are well taken care of and I’m sure for them it’s a fantastic experience. I don’t see it as a negative thing that players are coming in from elsewhere. Times change and you have to adapt. It’s not better or worse. But of course, you have to meet the FIFA regulations as well."

Also on the subject of FIFA, there was no place in the FIFPro XI once more for Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets at the Ballon d'Or ceremony in Zurich recently, while Atletico's players missed out similarly the previous year following their spectacular season in 2013-14.

"I think we all agree [that they were overlooked]," Del Bosque said. "Also [Diego] Simeone, who has done a fantastic job in recent years. But they have the recognition of everyone. Hardly anyone questions them.