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Zinedine Zidane was the greatest player of his generation but whats he like as a manager? Ahead of the Frenchmans first Clasico in the dugout on Saturday, Sky Sports speak to two players from his old Real Madrid Castilla team to find out… Every now and then at Real Madrid Castilla last season, Zinedine Zidane would cast aside the clipboard and coaching tracksuit to join his players for training. He had just turned 41 when he became their manager in June 2014, but his innate ability with a ball at his feet has never left him.I remember the first time he joined in, former Castilla defender Derik Osede tells Sky Sports. I was impressed. My first thought was that he could still be playing because he still had so much quality. He did little things on the pitch that reminded me of the Zidane of old. It was wonderful, really. The Zidane of old won just about everything in a glittering playing career that started in the Cannes academy and ended at Real Madrid. His trophy haul includes a World Cup, three domestic titles, a Champions League, and a hat-trick of FIFA World Player of the Year awards, and he retired as an all-time great in 2006.Ten years on, Zidane is aiming to scale similar heights in the dugout having taken over from Rafael Benitez at the Bernabeu in January. The Frenchman has been working at the club in various capacities since 2009, but it was last season, while in charge of their second team, when he cut his teeth as a manager.His fast-track route to the top of the profession bears obvious similarities to that of Pep Guardiola, who was appointed by Barcelona having guided their B team to promotion in 2008, but its fair to say Zidane had a rather tougher time in Spains third tier in his only full season in charge. Zinedine Zidane spent five seasons as a player at Real Madrid It was a difficult season for everyone, Sergio Aguza, Castillas former captain, tells Sky Sports.There were lots of changes following our relegation in the previous season. Lots of players left and we were a practically new team. It was a little bit tough and in the end we didnt manage our objective of promotion. El Clasicos greatest player? Ronaldo? Messi? Zidane? Who is the greatest player to have played in El Clasico? Castillas sixth-placed finish fell well short of expectations, but there were mitigating factors for their manager - not least the arrival Norwegian sensation Martin Odegaard in January. Club president Florentino Perez expected the 16-year-old to walk straight into Castillas starting line-up despite training with the first team, and Zidanes destabilised squad soon slid off the top of the table. Zidane takes Real Madrid training following his appointment in January Castilla eventually finished two points below the play-offs, but Zidanes former players remember their time together fondly. To tell you the truth the experience was unforgettable, says central midfielder Aguza, who left Castilla for MK Dons in the summer before returning to Spain with second-division Ponferradina in January. Guillem Balague has the latest on Zinedine Zidanes future as Real Madrid boss All of the players were very happy when he arrived, he adds. To have a manager like Zidane at Real Madrid was a privilege for the players and although we didnt achieve promotion, it was a very good season in terms of learning. He is a manager who likes to be close to his players. He likes to know your opinions, and he likes to know how you are. Sergio Aguza on Zinedine Zidane Derik, a 23-year-old centre-back who now plays for Bolton in the Championship, agrees: We had all watched him as kids and he was an idol for all of us. Castilla is a young team with players who are only 17 or 18 years old, so when you are the manager, you have to educate as well as coach. Last year with Zidane was educational for us.Zidane was a quiet introvert who let his extraordinary talent do most of the talking during his playing days, but to the Castilla squad he was open and approachable - traits which have helped restore morale at senior level in the wake of Benitezs fractious spell in charge. Zidane succeeded Rafael Benitez at the start of January He always had his door open to everyone, says Aguza. My relationship with him was very good. He is a manager who likes to be close to his players. He likes to know your opinions, and he likes to know how you are. I spoke with him almost every day to try to improve things for the team.Derik describes Zidane as a very friendly and very normal person but insists he approaches his job with the same dedication and meticulousness he showed as a player. Apart from the quality he had, the foundation of his success was always hard work, he says. Enrique v Zidane We compare Zinedine Zidane and Luis Enriques El Clásico records He was a very hard-working footballer and as a manager he also dedicates a lot of extra time to the job. Thats why I think he could have kept playing. Hes in great shape for his age. He eats well, he goes to the gym, he likes yoga. He could also be strict with us because he has strong principles, and he likes to incorporate those values with his players - hard work, respect and solidarity.Zidane has worked alongside Jose Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti as well as Benitez since returning to Madrid, so when it came to preparation with Castilla last season, he had learned to leave no stone unturned. Zidane worked as Carlo Ancelottis assistant during his time in charge We would spend a week learning about our opposition, says Aguza. We would study them and try to find ways in which we could win the game and attack their weak points. I think that was good. He gave us everything we needed to know about their strengths and weaknesses.And what about training? The ball was always the focus, says Derik. We used to do a lot of possession-based eight-a-side drills, but we only did Rondos on the days before games. We did a lot of specialized exercises too. Defenders would practice together, midfielders would do positional and passing work and the forwards would practice finishing. We also did a lot of tactical work to ensure we kept our shape. Bale feeling more settled Gareth Bale is enjoying life under Zinedine Zidane at Real Madrid He was still an idol to us, so every time he talked or gave us instructions, we were always very attentive, adds Derik. It could be intimidating as he was one of the greatest players of all-time. He had our complete respect. We never had any problems with him in that sense.He was a good manager and a good person, and during my time with him he taught me a lot. I wish him the best. I know he will do well at Real Madrid and anywhere else in the future. Derik Osede (right) in action during a Real Madrid friendly against Inter Milan This season, Madrids senior players are similarly enamoured. Every piece of advice he gives you is like gold dust and it helps you improve on the pitch, said Luka Modric in February. Under Zizou everyone is much happier, added Sergio Ramos. He represents an example for us.His coaching credentials face their toughest examination yet at the Nou Camp on Saturday, but the Zidane of old knows exactly what it takes to win a Clasico. Zidane the manager now has the chance to follow suit. Watch Barcelona v Real Madrid live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 7pm on Saturday. Or watch for £6.99 without a contract, on NOW TV. Clasico: The key issues Guillem Balague looks at the five key issues which will decide Saturdays Clasico Also See: El Clasicos greatest player? Neymar v Bale Calvin Johnson Womens Jersey . TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie tweeted on Monday that Hemsky will be going to market as an unrestricted free agent on July 1. Jahlani Tavai Youth Jersey . 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At a news conference Tuesday where it was thought that the fiery Schallibaum may be shown the door after a dismal finish to the Major League Soccer season, team president Joey Saputo said no decision has been made on whether the Swiss Volcano will be back in 2014.ORLANDO, Fla. -- Scottie Wilbekin sat on the bench for the final minute, holding a bag of ice against his left knee. It was about the only time he wasnt giving Pittsburgh huge problems on both ends of the court. Wilbekin scored 21 points, including 11 of the teams 13 during a 7-minute stretch in the second half, and top-seeded Florida handled the Panthers 61-45 in the NCAA tournament Saturday. The Gators 28th consecutive win put them in the Sweet 16 for the fourth consecutive year. The latest victory followed a lacklustre and head-scratching performance in the teams NCAA opener against Albany two days earlier. The Gators vowed to play with more energy and intensity, and Wilbekin spearheaded the effort. "We just wanted to come out and not let them play harder than us or not play as hard as we can," Wilbekin said. "I think we did a good job of having our energy up at the start of the game, and we played together on offence and played together on defence." Wilbekin took over in the second half, scoring eight consecutive points at one point. Patric Young wasnt too shabby, either, finishing with seven points and eight rebounds. Will Yeguete added eight points -- all in the paint. Michael Frazier II chipped in 10 points for the Gators. Frazier was just 2-of-9 shooting from 3-point range. Had Florida not been cold from behind the arc, the game would have been essentially over much sooner than it was. The Gators finished 5 of 20 from 3-point range, with at least five of those rimming in and out. Florida will face either fourth-seeded UCLA or 12th-seeded Stephen F. Austin on Thursday in the South Regional in Memphis, Tenn. The Bruins and Lumberjacks play Sunday in San Diego. The Gators have the longest current streak of Sweet 16 appearances -- and expect to go further. If Wilbekin continues to play like he did against the Panthers, Florida surely improves its chances of making another deep run in the tournament. "It was good to see him come back and respond the way he did today," coach Billy Donovan said. "I thought all the way around he played very well. ... He was great on both ends of the floor because he really gives it up on the defensive end, and when you give it up like that and youre the point guard, theres a physical toll that your body takes over a period of time." Wilbbekin ended up getting iced down after banging knees with a defender.dddddddddddd He got a well-deserved standing ovation as he limped off the court. "Hes a great point guard," Panthers forward Lamar Patterson said. "He took care of business." Wilbekin hit a running 3-pointer at the first-half buzzer and drained a back-breaking 3 with 8:24 remaining that gave Florida its largest lead at that point, 45-31. His consecutive floaters inside 5 minutes to play were equally troublesome for Pitt. The Panthers, who seemed focused on Young inside and Frazier out, had no answer for Wilbekins dribble penetration. Wilbekin also was a force on the press, which helped force 11 turnovers and got the Panthers out of rhythm. Florida played the kind of defence that had to impress NFL coaches Bill Belichick and Mike Tomlin. The Patriots and Steelers head men were on hand, with Belichick sitting behind Floridas bench in a white Gators visor and Tomlin sitting opposite Pitts bench in Panthers colours. Wilbekin really started to dominate as Pitt steadily wore down in the second half. "Got in the lane -- constantly," Pitt coach Jamie Dixon said. "Hes a senior, hes a really good player, hes been through some ups and downs, obviously, and hes had a great finish to his career, and thats what you hope happens to a kid that learns and gets better. They played well. Im sure theyre proud of him and what hes become, a local guy thats done well." Talib Zanna led the Panthers with 10 points, their only player in double figures. A lot was made of the inside matchup between Young and Zanna, two ripped centres who played well Thursday. But Wilbekin was the story in this one. His best play didnt even show up in the box score. Wilbekin saved one of the many loose balls Florida got to first, turned around and threw a strike to Casey Prather. Prather drove the lane and dropped the ball to Young for a dunk that energized the pro-Florida crowd. "I think jus