It is an appointment that makes McManaman think Madrid will adopt a less reactionary attitude to managers in the future.
"I think Zizou lived in Madrid and hasn’t moved so you always feel as if there was a connection there and once he started getting involved as a coach he was always going to be a manager because he’s such a superstar," McManaman added.
"Santiago Solari is now a coach of the Juveniles [under-19s] too.
GETTY
McManaman watched Manchester City win the Capital One Cup against his former club, Liverpool
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"I hope that Madrid have got plan for managers now as opposed to going round the world and getting this guy before sacking him and getting Carlo or Jose or Fabio or Rafa.
"Now they’ve run out of names and I hope they give Zizou a chance and they’ve got other guys in the system like Solari, Luis Miguel Ramis and Guti."
Steve McManaman was speaking on behalf of Capital One - the credit card in your corner. Visit facebook.com/CapitalOneUK