Zinedane Zidane has resigned as Real Madrid manager
The former French international announced his resignation from Real Madrid today.
The Frenchman won the Uefa Champions League three times consecutively with the Spanish team with last week victory against Liverpool.
Zidane was appointed as Real Madrid boss in January 2016 and took charge of Madrid 149 times. He won 105 of those games, and as well as three Champions League titles, he also enjoyed success in La Liga in 2016-17.
Zidane said in a news press conference that it was the right time to leave Real Madrid before he thanked Florentino Perez and the club.
“I have decided not to be Real Madrid coach next season,” said Zidane, who was joined by club president Florentino Perez.
“I spoke to Florentino yesterday [Wednesday] to tell him my thoughts, my feelings. I know it’s a strange moment for everyone involved, but I think it’s the right decision.
“I think this team needs to keep winning but I think after three years a change is needed, something different, a different message, different ways of going about things.
“That’s why I decided to take this decision. It’s a club I love and I love the president too, he brought me to this huge club and I will always be grateful, but I think a change is needed so I will not be here next season.”
Even European success, which he also managed in each of his first two seasons in charge of the team, has not been enough to persuade him to prolong his spell.
Madrid’s third-place La Liga finish is likely the major factor in Zidane’s departure, as Los Blancos ended the season 17 points adrift of bitter rivals and champions Barcelona.
He did, however, confirm that he was not pushed out of the exit door.
“It’s my decision,” he said. “For many people, this will not make sense, but it does for me. It’s time for a change.
“There have been tough times, in the Copa del Rey notably, and I don’t forget those. This club is in my heart. It ended well for me when I was a player and it’s ended well for me as a manager.”
Zidane was in charge of 149 Real Madrid games, he won 104 games and had 29 draws.
During his two-and-a-half year spell as manager, Zidane won an incredible eight titles, including three consecutive Champions League trophies.
