New Real Madrid role for Zidane

Real Madrid legend Zinedine Zidane has revealed he will become the club's director of football next season.

Zinedine Zidane: Played for Real Madrid between 2001 and 2006

The former Los Blancos player has been working as a special advisor to president Florentino Perez to create a link etween the first team and the Bernabeu management. But the 39-year-old will now work closely with manager Jose Mourinho.

Speaking about his new role, Zidane told AS.com: "I will be director of football for the first team."

"Mourinho influenced this decision, but also Florentino," Zidane said. "We will see [what the new role entails], but I will begin from Monday until the end of the season."

Former France international Zidane helped Real sign Les Bleus Under-21 defender Raphael Varane in June and said: "He has a tremendous future, and it's a good thing to arrive at Real Madrid so young. Varane liked the coach, so that is why he is here."

Santos starlet Neymar has long been linked with a move to Real and Zidane thinks the tricky forward could follow in the footsteps of Brazilian compatriot Robinho, who made the same move in 2005.

Zidane said: "He is similar to Robinho, but he scores more goals. Neymar is a player who could interest Real Madrid."