Zinedine Zidane is most passionate football and Real Madrid man I met, it was natural he would manage, reveals David Beckham

Former Real Madrid winger David Beckham has heaped praise on Zinedine Zidane and believes the Frenchman was born to manage.

Zidane took charge following Rafa Benitez's sacking in January and has helped the Spanish side reach the Champions League final, where they face arch-rivals Atletico Madrid.

And Beckham, who made 116 appearances for Real, admitted he isn't made to be a coach but feels natural leader Zidane is perfectly suited to the role.

Speaking to XL Semanal, he said: 'No, I was not born to coach. But ''Zizou'' was.

"He, besides being a great friend, is the most passionate football and Real Madrid man I ever met and the best player I have ever played."

"It was natural that he had just coaching the team. His role, in any case, it is very difficult, because in the last five years Madrid has had to face the best club in history [Barcelona]."

"When you compete against a team like that team, everything is complicated."

A defeat for Real would mean a trophy-less campaign for the European giants – which has usually seen a manager sacked by Florentino Perez.

But club legend Zidane would likely get a stay of execution even his side are beaten by their city rivals at the San Siro in Milan.