Raymond Domenech warns Zinedine Zidane he is risking his mythical status at Real Madrid

Raymond Domenech has warned Zinedine Zidane he is risking his legend status at Real Madrid by agreeing to become the club's new manager. Zidane, 43, was a fan favourite at the Bernabeu during his playing days and has replaced Rafael Benitez as the coach of Los Blancos.

But Domenech, his former France manager, has told the three-time World Player of the Year he is risking his hard-earned reputation by accepting the role.

"Zidane is a myth. A myth capable of setting off emotions in people and not only positive ones. He's not a smooth star, he's not a nice guy. He's capable of anything and that's what makes him a human god," he explained to Le Monde.

"The headbutting incident is part of the myth ... a guy who headbutts someone who's insulted him, there's nothing more human. People only saw one player in this story but no one ever thought what Lillian Thuram, Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira, Florent Malouda or Willy Sagnol might have felt. He made a bad move and the others lost the World Cup. Like every myth, he benefited from a form of immunity."

However, Domenech said Zidane will be judged by his on-field results from now onwards.

"We'll see how he reacts as a manager if one day a guy blows a fuse and screws up all his plans," he reflected. "From now on, Zidane will be judged on his results. If he's a champion, his legend will reinforce itself.

"But if that's not the case, it will be another story. Jose Mourinho was a god too and we see what's happened to him. Sport is ruthless."