Beckham asks Real to be patient with friend Zidane

VALENCIA, Spain: David Beckham believes Real Madrid should give his former team mate at the club, Zinedine Zidane, time to succeed even if the French great fails to inspire them to victory in the Champions League final later this month.

Zidane fell just short of steering the club to La Liga glory, with Real finishing one point behind Barcelona, but can claim his first title since replacing Rafa Benitez earlier this year in the May 28 Champions League final against city rivals Atletico in Milan.

“Madrid needs stability and continuity,” Beckham said in an interview with Spanish magazine Semanal XL.

“It would be good if Zizou (Zidane) continues for some time and that they maintain the players they have today.

“Even if they don’t win the Champions League, it would be good to let Zizou work.

“Stability is key, not just in every aspect of life but in business.”

Beckham played with Zidane at Real from 2003 until 2006 before the French great retired from football.

“Besides being a great friend, he is the person that is most passionate about football and Real Madrid that I have met and the best player I’ve ever played with,” Beckham said. Zidane was Carlo Ancelotti’s assistant in 2013 when Real won the Champions League.