Zinedine Zidane vs Jurgen Klopp: Champions League final head-to-head

It has all the ingredients for a classic Champions League final. Two heavyweights of European football - Real Madrid and Liverpool - going head-to-head in the Kiev final on May 26.

Under the guidance of their managers - Zinedine Zidane and Jurgen Klopp - these teams have not only reached European football's showpiece but got there in sumptuous style.

On the night, it is going to come down to which manager sends their team out with the better gameplan, which can get the best out of their prodigiously talented squads.

We compare Zidane and Klopp in our tale of the tape...

Zidane was arguably the most gifted player of his generation, a French playmaker who could conjure moments of magic without apparent effort.

The master of the silky touch, the pirouette, mazy dribble and defence-splitting pass, not to mention unstoppable shots at goal, he turned out for two of Europe's great clubs in Juventus and Real Madrid.

While there, he won pretty much everything there is to win, including the Champions League with Real in 2002 thanks to his memorable volleyed winner.

But his crowning glory came in 1998 when he starred in France's World Cup triumph on home soil, scoring twice in the final as Brazil were beaten 3-0.

Klopp's career spanned 14 years but was rather more modest. He was a striker during the early stages of his career before converting into a defender at his one principal club, Mainz, in the mid-nineties.

He made 325 league appearances for Mainz during 11 years there, scoring 52 times, before he retired at the age of 34 to become the club's manager.

Zidane has made a spectacular start to his coaching career. A player well-versed in the unique pressures that come from representing Real Madrid, he seamlessly made the transition into their coaching set-up.

Initially, he was a special adviser to Jose Mourinho during his time in charge and then became manager of the B team, Real Madrid Castilla, in the summer of 2014.

It sparked controversy at the time in some quarters because Zidane didn't have any coaching qualifications but within 18 months he was appointed Real Madrid's manager, replacing Rafa Benitez.

Bringing an injection of fresh ideas, Real remarkably ended his first season as Champions League winners, defeating their neighbours Atletico Madrid on penalties in the Milan final.

The following season was even more exceptional, regaining not only the La Liga title and winning the FIFA Club World Cup, but becoming the first team to retain the Champions League when they beat Juventus 4-1.

That European success has continued this season, with Real defeating Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus and Bayern Munich to reach yet another final as they pursue their 13th European Cup success.

Klopp cut his managerial teeth in familiar surroundings at Mainz and led them into the Bundesliga for the first time in 2004 and, even more remarkably, guided them to the UEFA Cup the year after.

Although they suffered relegation in 2007, his sterling efforts had not gone unnoticed and Borussia Dortmund appointed Klopp as their manager in 2008.

After two seasons of noticeable improvement and top-six finishes, Klopp then won the Bundesliga title in back-to-back seasons in 2010-11 and 2011-12.

One of the most thrilling teams to watch in Europe at the time, Klopp's success then translated onto the European scene as they reached the Champions League final in 2013, losing in heart-breaking late fashion to rivals Bayern Munich.

Klopp, an immensely popular figure around the club, announced he was to leave Dortmund at the end of the 2014-15 season and Liverpool moved to recruit him when Brendan Rodgers left in October 2015.

A breath of fresh air around Anfield, Liverpool fans quickly took Klopp to their hearts and he rewarded them with appearances in the League Cup and the Europa League finals in his first season, though they lost both.

Gradually, Klopp has rebuilt Liverpool once again into an attractive, attack-minded team and they have been fun to watch as they've taken the Champions League by storm this season.

As a player, Zidane twice won Serie A with Juventus and won La Liga with Real in 2003. A year before that, the Spanish giants lifted the Champions League and they followed that up with the Intercontinental Cup.

On the international stage with France, he inspired them to World Cup glory in 1998 and success in the European Championships in 2000.

He was winner of the Ballon d'Or in 1998 and was named the FIFA World Player of the Year three times, in 1998, 2000 and 2003.

Success has followed him as a coach, with those two Champions League successes, back-to-back World Club Cups wins and the Spanish title 12 months ago.

Klopp didn't win much as a player but that changed when he took to the dug-out. He won promotion into the Bundesliga with Mainz in 2004 and claimed two Bundesliga title with Dortmund in 2010-11 and 2011-12, as well as the German Cup in 2012.

We await his first piece of silverware at Liverpool.

Zidane's European record as Real coach could not be better. Two cracks at the Champions League and two successes mean a very special hat-trick is in the offing.

Zidane has led his team in nine knockout ties in the Champions League so far, plus those two finals, and boasts a 100 per cent record.

This season's route to the final has been arguably their trickiest yet, with the champions of France, Italy and Germany (PSG, Juventus and Bayern) overcome in the last three rounds.

He has most definitely reasserted Real's dominance of the European scene and restored their aura of invincibility in the Champions League.

Liverpool are a club rightly proud of their European achievements and Klopp has led a modern-day resurgence that has recaptured some of the old glories.

His first full season in charge saw Liverpool reach the final of the UEFA Europa League, beating the likes of Dortmund and Villarreal en route, only to lose 3-1 to Sevilla in the final.

Having sat out European competition last season, they have returned with a vengeance this time. Resounding wins over Porto and Manchester City have been followed by this latest success over Roma.

Zidane has certainly adhered to the grand Real Madrid tradition of front foot, attacking football and the fans certainly love him for it.

With a star-studded cast of players at his disposal, and perennial game-changer Cristiano Ronaldo at his disposal, Real have the capability to blow most teams away.

He has managed to marry star names such as Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema, Luka Modric and Toni Kroos with emerging talents such as Isco and Marco Asensio.

However, there remain some questions marks about the defensive line, with Real almost throwing away commanding positions in the last eight against Juventus and the semi-finals against Bayern.

Klopp has long gained plaudits for the high-intensity, high-press approach and has moulded his Liverpool team into a well-oiled attacking machine.

The forward three of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino has been absolutely unplayable at times this season, racking up the goals as they carve open defences.

Klopp makes no apology for going all out in matches but perhaps the biggest improvement this season has come from fixing their leaky defence with the January signing of Virgil van Dijk.

Often seen with an intense expression on his face, Zidane is a perfectionist constantly trying to push his team to greater heights.

You will seldom see him crack a smile on the touchline, issuing commands with a steely gaze and complete focus.

There is a lighter side, of course, and this often can be seen in training where he retains a touch and pass every bit as good as his players.

Klopp is an exceedingly likeable character and the Liverpool faithful soon took the German to their hearts.

With that beaming, pearly white smile never too far from the surface, a cheerful demeanour and invariably well-considered insights on any topic, Klopp is certainly popular.

If he can add silverware to that personality, he'll be a Liverpool legend forever.