Although there have been some difficult games, things are generally going well for Real Madrid under Alvaro Arbeloa. 

The team managed to comfortably advance past Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League round of 16, and beat Atletico Madrid on Sunday evening to keep the pressure on league leaders Barcelona. 

We have seen the likes of Vinicius return to their usual selves under Arbeloa. Players who were underperforming under Xabi Alonso are slowly but surely returning to their best form. 

So, it has raised the question: will the former right-back continue at Los Blancos beyond the remainder of this season? A lot of that, you feel, depends on the managerial market come the summer. 

Well, it looks like one option is now off the table. Indeed, as Le Parisien is suggesting, Zinedine Zidane has a verbal agreement to take over as the France national team manager after the World Cup. 

Last year, it was officially announced that the current manager, Didier Deschamps, would leave his role after 14 years in charge. Ever since then, there has been a sense of inevitability that the Real Madrid legend would be the one to take over from him. 

In January of 2016, Zidane took over as the club's manager from Rafa Benitez, with the team in a bit of a mess. From there, the Frenchman narrowed the gap at the top of La Liga from 10 points to just one, and managed to win the Champions League at San Siro. 

The following season saw the team win a La Liga and Champions League double, before a third straight success in Europe in the 17/18 season. After beating Liverpool 3-1 in the final, Zidane left the club. 

Nine months and two managers later, he was back in charge. He was able to steady the ship for the rest of the 18/19 season, laying the foundations for a La Liga title win in the 19/20 season. 

20/21 saw a Real Madrid side be very competitive in both La Liga and the Champions League, but an unprecedented injury crisis saw the team fall just short, losing out on the league title on the last day, and losing in the Champions League semi-finals. 

Upon the conclusion of that season, Zidane left for a second time. Despite five years having passed, he has not worked another managerial job. That is now set to change in a few months' time. 

There is no doubt that under Zizou's guidance, France will be a serious threat at major tournaments, with an incredibly talented crop of players. No doubt every Real Madrid fan wishes him well on his next adventure.  

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