Zinedine Zidane: Ex-Real Madrid midfielder appointed Castilla coach

Zinedine Zidane is a potential replacement for Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid in the future

Zinedine Zidane has been appointed coach of Spanish third division side Castilla, Real Madrid's feeder team.

The former France midfielder, 42, has been working with Real coach Carlo Ancelotti in developing young players.

"Zizou, who was Carlo Ancelotti's first squad assistant coach this year, will start a new stage of his career at Real Madrid," the club website reported.

Zidane, a World Cup winner with France in 1998, is a potential replacement for Ancelotti in the future.

He won two Serie A titles with Juventus, La Liga and the Champions League with Real Madrid, and was the inspiration in France's 3-0 World Cup victory over Brazil in 1998.

But he ended his career after the World Cup final defeat by Italy, on penalties in 2006, after being sent off for headbutting defender Marco Materazzi in the chest.

Zidane has been linked with the manager's job at former club Bordeaux but elected to stay at Madrid.

He will be joined by youth coach Santiago Sanchez at Castilla.