Zinedine Zidane: 'I would have taken Real Madrid job'

Zinedine Zidane has revealed that he would have accepted the head coach role at Real Madrid had it been offered to him.

The Frenchman, who is currently coaching Real's Castilla side, was linked with the position following Carlo Ancelotti's exit.

However, Zidane lost out on the job to former Liverpool and Chelsea boss Rafael Benitez, who was appointed earlier this month.

When asked if he was disappointed to have been overlooked, Zidane told France Football: "No, not at all. I believe it wasn't the time. Things happen naturally, you don't have to go looking for them. They took the decision to choose another coach and that's that.

"I would have accepted being Ancelotti's successor. I'm a professional and I'm never going to turn down a challenge."

Zidane played for Real between 2001 and 2006.