Claude Makelele, a former France international widely regarded as one of the best defensive midfielders of his generation, is once again in the headlines, though this time for his activities off the pitch.
The 51-year-old former Chelsea and Real Madrid star recently left Greek side Asteras Tripolis just three games into his tenure due to a reported disagreement with the club’s owners. Despite this sudden exit, Makelele is already in discussions with Cardiff City, a Championship side currently without a manager.
According to reports from LondonWorld, Makelele is eager to return to the dugout and take on the challenge of managing Cardiff, who are currently languishing at the bottom of the Championship table.
Makelele’s reputation as a player is almost unparalleled. During his illustrious playing career, he revolutionized the role of the defensive midfielder, a position that is often referred to as “the Makelele role” in his honor.
He made a significant impact at Chelsea, where he played 217 games between 2003 and 2008, solidifying his place as one of the Premier League’s all-time greats. Prior to his Chelsea days, he also enjoyed successful stints at Real Madrid and Celta Vigo. However, his managerial career has not mirrored his on-field success.
Since retiring from professional football in 2011, Makelele has struggled to establish himself as a top-tier manager. His first major coaching role came in 2014 when he was appointed head coach of French side SC Bastia.
Unfortunately, his time there was short-lived, as he was sacked after less than a year, with a win rate of just 23.1%. Makelele then moved to Belgium, where he spent two years as head coach of KAS Eupen, a modest spell marked by limited success.
His most recent managerial experience was a very brief stint at Greek Super League club Asteras Tripolis, which ended abruptly due to disagreements with the club’s owners.
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Prior to his head coaching roles, Makelele gained valuable experience as an assistant coach at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) under Carlo Ancelotti. He was part of the coaching staff that helped shape PSG into one of the dominant forces in European football.
After leaving PSG, Makelele returned to Chelsea in 2019 in a different capacity, this time as a youth coach and technical mentor, where he was tasked with guiding the next generation of players. He mutually agreed to leave this role in September 2023.
Now, with Cardiff City reportedly interested in his services, Makelele faces a new challenge. Cardiff, currently sitting at the bottom of the Championship table, are in desperate need of a manager who can galvanize the team and steer them away from relegation.
If Makelele takes on the role, it will certainly be a tall order to revive the club’s fortunes. However, given his deep understanding of the game and his experiences working at top clubs, Makelele may have the tactical insight needed to make a difference.
Though his previous managerial roles haven’t yielded much success, Makelele is still highly respected within football circles, and a successful stint with Cardiff could be the breakthrough he needs to prove himself in the competitive world of football management.
Whether he can replicate his brilliance as a player in the managerial arena remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Makelele is determined to return to the dugout and carve out a successful career as a coach. Cardiff could be the perfect opportunity for him to do just that.
Only time will tell if the Frenchman can guide Cardiff to safety and revive his managerial career in the process, but it’s a challenge Makelele appears eager to embrace.