Who would you prefer managing your club: a coach with two Champions League wins, a Liga and the World Club championship in less than two full seasons in senior management, or a coach who, in eight years as a manager, has won nothing?

Zinedine Zidane or Mauricio Pochettino? Based on their CVs there is no choice, yet you will not find a single Spurs fan willing to swap their coach for the Real Madrid legend.

In fact, if Zidane’s troubles continue in Spain I am confident Pochettino would be the first name on the Real president Florentino Pérez’s Christmas wishlist.

Some managers, like Zidane, are figureheads. They inspire with their presence, command the respect of a dressing room and ensure the egos work together.

Their work should not be underestimated at the superclubs. Zidane deserves more credit for what he has achieved in Madrid since taking over in January 2016. No one will convince me Zidane is a superior training ground coach to his predecessor, Rafa Benítez – the most studious and tactically aware manager I ever had - but moulding superstar players into a unit brings its own challenges. Benítez did not succeed with the same group of players.