Zidane could be future Real coach - Ancelott

Madrid (AFP) - Zinedine Zidane is shaping up as a future coach of Real Madrid, present incumbent Carlo Ancelotti said on Friday.

Zidane, who is currently coaching the Real reserve side Castilla, "has all the qualities" required to take the helm of the club, Ancelotti told a news conference.

"I enjoy Zidane's work, he's doing very well," Ancelotti said.

After a difficult start of the season, Castilla are top of Spain's third tier league.

"He's doing very well in his first year in charge. He's taken Castilla to first place and he needs to keep up the good work.

"It's pretty clear to me he has all the qualities to coach a big team. And that includes Real Madrid," said the Italian manager, who appointed the French legend last season.

After seeing Castilla lose five of their first six initial games, Zidane has turned things around and his young charges have now lost just once in the past four months.

They could increase their lead when they take on Athletic Bilbao's reserves on Sunday, a match which could see Norwegian teenage prodigy Martin Odegaard, snapped up from under the noses of many European giants in the transfer window, could make his debut.