I think the issue is that it is hard to truly judge how good a coach is at Real. Especially the Real side he had with Ronaldo, Modric, Ramos, Kroos, Benzema all in their prime. There is no doubt he did an excellent job but the squad was superb.
The title win this year is a big one for him as they turned things around and pulled together as a squad.
The title win this year is a big one for him as they turned things around and pulled together as a squad.
I agree that having a squad this good might confuse the picture and I would agree with you that it doesn't say much about his abilities had they won it only once. But 3 times back to back? Thats insanely impressive regardless of how good the squad was. The only other time this squad won the CL was with Ancellotti who everyone recognizes as a CL expert and a top coach. Madrid had many Galacticos in the past and at best won it once. You could make the case against Zidane if it was a fluke one time win but 3 times is unprecedented dominance.
Moreover, it's not like they are the only club to have a very strong squad. They are the only ones to win it consecutively let alone 3 times back to back. Most teams with strong squads would be lavished with praise if they win it once. The tactical nous, people management and fitness coaching that it takes to get a top team to have this consistency in Europe is very difficult that no one else managed to come close to it before. The Barca that had Messi, Suarez and Neymar leading the attack won it once. Pep's Barca won it twice but not back to back. As Juve fans we should know more than any other fanbase how difficult it is to win the CL once let alone thrice despite having super squads and good coaches.
I also don't know what standard is being used by the doubters that 3 back to back CLs, and a Liga win like this one doesn't exceed. By this standard, there is absolutely nothing a coach can do to prove himself if he has a super squad. Would 4 be enough? 5? Is there any coach in history that can meet this standard?
In short, 3 times back to back shows its not a fluke, other super teams with coaches we all respect as top level never came close to his achievement, and by this crazy standard no coach in history is a top coach.
