MY ACCOUNT
Raphael Varane learned a lot from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and has compared the recently departed Manchester United boss to ex-Real Madrid head coach Zinedine Zidane.
France international Varane joined United from Madrid in August and spent three months working under Solskjaer before the Norwegian was dismissed by the Red Devils two weeks ago.
Solskjaer left Old Trafford having failed to win any silverware in his three years at the helm, which is in stark contrast to the 11 trophies lifted by Zidane across two spells as Madrid boss, with Varane a key player under his compatriot.
Despite appearing just nine times for new club United prior to Solskjaer’s exit in what has been an injury-plagued start to his Old Trafford tenure, Varane was impressed by Solskjaer’s coaching ability.
“I spoke with him before signing. He’s a very good person and humble with important values and in the short time here he taught me a lot of things, values and a lot of things about the club, the mentality of the club,” Varane told The Times.
“He represents a lot of things of this club: very respectful, humble. He always tried to do his best. Sometimes when you speak about something sensitive, it’s like a bit negative because it’s like a weakness. But it’s not true. It’s a strength.
“When he speaks with a player, he’s honest. It’s important for a manager to be honest with his players and especially this point it’s similar with Zidane. Maybe that’s why I like this feeling. It was a short time working with him but I learn a lot.”
Varane won three LaLiga titles and four Champions League crowns among an array of other trophies during a decade-long spell at Madrid that saw him rack up over 350 appearances in the Spanish capital.
However, the 28-year-old says he and his Madrid colleagues could not always celebrate their triumphs as winning titles is what was expected of them, something that played a part in his decision to leave the club.
“After winning the Champions League, the fans don’t congratulate you,” he told The Telegraph. “It was ‘OK, the next one’ after the first one I won.
“Four Champions Leagues! And they tell me, ‘OK, go to the next one’. I just want to say sometimes you have to enjoy what you have. It was good!”
Varane added: “Sometimes I wanted to push the pause button, find some time to celebrate. That’s why Madrid are special. It’s because of this special mentality too.
“It’s different. That’s why I wanted to change, not because I don’t like this mentality or because it’s bad. It’s very good, but I just wanted to try something different.”
