David Beckham believes Zinedine Zidane was "born to coach" and urged Real Madrid to keep faith with the Frenchman, even if he loses the Champions League final.
Zidane replaced Rafael Benitez as Madrid boss in January, despite having no previous senior managerial experience, and has overseen an upturn in fortunes at the Bernabeu.
Los Blancos narrowly missed out on the Primera Division title to Barcelona but stand on the brink of their 11th European Cup triumph, if they beat city rivals Atletico in Milan next Saturday.
Beckham, who was a Madrid team-mate of Zidane's between 2003 and 2006, has been impressed by the way the former France captain has taken to life at the sharp end of management.
And Beckham, speaking to Spanish magazine XL Semanal, insists the 43-year-old should be given time to stamp his own mark on the side.
Beckham said: "I wasn't born to coach, but Zizou was. As well as being a great friend, he's also the most passionate man about football and Real Madrid that I've ever met. It's natural that he ended up managing there.
"He has a difficult job, because in the past five years Real are up against the best Barcelona side in history.
"Madrid needs stability and continuity. It'd be good for Zidane to carry on for a while there and keep the players he has now.
"Even if they don't win the Champions League they should give him a chance and let him work. Stability is the key, it's the base for all things in life and business."
Zidane became the 11th boss to be appointed by Florentino Perez, who has had two spells at the club, but Beckham defended the Real president.
He added: "Florentino Perez has the best interests of the club at heart, he wants to bring the best in the world, like (Cristiano) Ronaldo, (Gareth) Bale and the rest, he knows the fans and wants the same things.
"If he didn't sign these players he'd be criticised."
Source: PA
