Real Madrid legend originally had no plans to become a manager once his illustrious playing career ended                 Zinedine Zidane has followed up an amazing playing career with what has the makings of being an equally impressive run as a manager. His first season in charge of Real Madrid produced a UEFA Champions League title, and he is on the verge of a potential Champions League-La Liga double in his second year.
It is a level of managerial success that wasn't expected, at least not so quickly. Not even by Kaka, who knows him and Real Madrid well. Zidane's time away from the game lasted four years before then-manager Mourinho appointed him as special advisor to Real Madrid's first team, which allowed the Frenchman to transition back into the club. A stint as Real Madrid's sporting director soon followed, as did time as Carlo Ancelotti's assistant, as well as a run as the manager of the second team. He replaced fired Real Madrid boss Rafa Benitez midway through the 2015-16 season, guiding Los Blancos to the club's 11th Champions League title.                                                                                                       Zidane has been a rare exception of a superstar player making a smooth and successful transition into managing, which could serve as inspiration for other star players to follow a similar career track. Kaka isn't thinking about being a manager just yet, but his thoughts on the subject reveal that Zidane didn't have that career in mind either when he retired as a player in 2006.