Carlo Ancelotti is in no doubt that Zinedine Zidane will be a success at Real Madrid, revealing that the charismatic Frenchman has the full respect of his players.

Zidane served as Ancelotti’s right-hand man during the Italian’s first season in charge at the Santiago Bernabeu, in 2013-14, a campaign which ended with the duo leading los Blancos to a historic 10th European Cup win.

Zidane has since taken on the top job, having been installed as Rafael Benitez’s successor following the Spaniard’s sacking in December, and Ancelotti is adamant that Zidane is the right man to revitalise Real.

“I am not surprised that now he is Madrid manager,” the Italian trainer said.

“We had a really good experience with him when we won the Decima. He was the assistant and he did a really good job.

“Zidane and people like him have a lot of charisma, have a lot of personality and the players respect him a lot.

“They respected him when he was assistant. He helped me have a good relationship with Karim [Benzema], with [Raphael] Varane, not just because they are French but because the players give to him a lot of respect.

“I think it’s the same now he’s a manager. The players have a lot of respect, he has knowledge and I think he’s going to do a good job at Real Madrid.”