Despite clinching a third successive European title just five days
ago, the Frenchman's tenure at the Santiago Bernabeu is at an
end
Zinedine Zidane has announced that he is leaving Real Madrid
less than a week after guiding them to an unprecedented third
successive Champions League title.
The club revealed on Thursday that Zidane was to appear in a
hastily arranged news conference that caught many by surprise,
fuelling speculation that his tenure at the Santiago Bernabeu
could be coming to an end.
Zidane confirmed his departure at the start of the news briefing,
just five days after he presided over the 3-1 Champions League
final win over Liverpool.
"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 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.
