It is all hands on deck at Real Madrid at the moment and there is no time to lose. With a great deal still unresolved, Florentino Pérez and his team have got down to business. On Wednesday morning the club president sat down with Zinedine Zidane, before meeting with other departments to discuss financial and social topics in the afternoon.

The time has come to pin down Zizou's role for the coming season. The 'Los Blancos' chief had offered the Frenchman the chance to become the club's director of football. Though flattered by the offer, the midfield legend told Florentino – as MARCA exclusively revealed two weeks ago – that he dreams of becoming a manager and would like to work as close to the dugout, and the players, as possible.

Florentino had earlier gone public with his desire for Zidane to be the linchpin of the club's new footballing structure, though aware of the Frenchman's coaching aspirations from the outset. Now, with Ancelotti fully expected to be confirmed as the club's new coach sooner or later, it is looking likely that his welcome present could come in the shape of a hotshot assistant: none other than Zizou.

The Frenchman has told the president that working as a number two will allow him to have a more direct relationship with the players, something he considers key for his coaching education. Zidane believes that forging a good personal and emotional connection with the squad is every bit as important as tactical drills, technical skills and fitness.