Football often has those sliding doors moments where fans are left wondering what could have been.
For Newcastle supporters, you very nearly got to see Zinedine Zidane at St James’ Park… yes, really.
Footballer-turned-agent Barry Silkman revealed the inside story on how he recommended the future all-time great to the Magpies, only for the club scout to reject the proposal.
The former midfielder – who played for Manchester City, Brentford and Crystal Palace – had a good relationship at the time with Kevin Keegan – the former player and Newcastle boss.
“I went out to watch him [Zidane] play. I was told about him, went out to watch him. I watched 45 minutes… He came on at halftime, scored two and made one, but after 15 minutes, you could see” Silkman said told the Sunday Edition on talkSPORT.
“I didn’t have to sit there any longer. His brain was two yards quicker than everyone on the pitch.
“I spoke to the president after the game, and they wanted £1.2million and they said, we’ll give you back a commission out of that. I thought it’s only one club this guy really suits – Newcastle.”
After informing Keegan of the player, the boss sent a scout to watch Zidane in action.
“He [Keegan] sent the the scout and I will never forget this, [it was] in the day of the fax machines. I get a phone call on the Monday and said, ‘Silky, in the next half hour you’ll be getting a fax about the player [Zidane].
“The fax came through and I will never, ever forget it. I wished I’d kept it.
“The fax said: Silky has grossly over-exaggerated the player, and at that time Wolves were bottom of what is now the Championship. I don’t even think he could play for Wolves.
“I said to Kevin, whoever it was that went to watch him, sack him.”
Silkman explained that he then rang the brother-in-law of Roberto Bettega, the former Juventus player. “I said, Maurizio, go and see your brother-in-law, tell him I’ve seen a player, Zinedine Zidane, just go and buy him.
“He phoned me back a couple of days later, he said, Silky, they know the player, they really like him, the rest is history!”
Zidane is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers and managers of all time.
The French midfielder became synonymous with his exquisite touch, vision, and powerful shots.
During his club career he had spells with Bordeaux, Juventus, and Real Madrid, where he cemented his legacy as a Galáctico.
His most iconic moment came in the 2002 Champions League final when he scored a stunning volley to secure Real Madrid’s ninth European title.
On the international stage, Zidane was instrumental in France’s historic triumph at the 1998 World Cup, scoring two goals in the final against Brazil.
He also led France to victory at Euro 2000 and was named World Player of the Year three times across his career.
After retiring in 2006, following a controversial World Cup final where he was sent off for head-butting Italy’s Marco Materazzi, Zidane transitioned into management.
As head coach of Real Madrid, he achieved unprecedented success, winning three consecutive Champions Leagues from 2016 to 2018 — a feat unmatched in the modern era.