Zinedine Zidane has announced he is stepping down as Real Madrid coach less than a week after he guided the club to a third consecutive Champions League title.
The 45-year old Frenchman announced his decision at the Valdebebas training ground on Thursday afternoon, called just 90 minutes in advance, that he has “taken the decision not to continue next year.”, insisting he and the club needed a change and admitting he was not convinced Real would continue winning if he remained in charge.
Zidane took over as the club’s coach in January 2016 following the departure of Rafael Benitez.
In the ensuing two-and-a-half years, Zidane won a staggering nine trophies and lost just 16 times in his 149 games in charge. “It was not an easy decision but this is the right moment for everyone,” he said. “It might seem strange, but it had to be done for the good of everyone, the players, the club, and myself.
The club’s president, Florentino Pérez, described it as a “sad day” and said the decision was “totally unexpected”. Zidane would not say exactly when he made the decision to depart. “He is an example for all. I hope this is not a goodbye and I want him to return someday.’
“I wanted him to stay forever and I wanted to convince him to stay. But I know it was his final decision.”
Pérez said Zidane had communicated his decision on Wednesday and a press conference was hurriedly called on Thursday morning. At the same time the players were informed of the decision by text message. Zidane said he had spoken to the Real captain, Sergio Ramos, and he would speak to the other club captains, Cristiano Ronaldo and Marcelo, in due course. He said he had no plans to manage another club but was not tired of coaching. Real did not say anything about a successor but Mauricio Pochettino is among those they have long identified as candidates.
Zidane had been due to discuss plans for the coming season – plans that would include the futures of Gareth Bale and Ronaldo, both of whom had suggested they would leave immediately after the Champions League final. Instead, it is the manager who walks away.
“I have taken the decision not continue as coach of Real Madrid next year,” Zidane said. “I spoke to the president to explain what I thought. I think it is the moment, for me and for the squad. I know it is a bit of a strange moment but I think it is the right moment. This is a team that should keep on winning and it needs a change for that. After three years, it needs another discourse, another working methodology, and that’s why I took this decision.”
Zidane leaves having won nine titles, including three consecutive European Cups, although he said the title that gave him the greatest satisfaction was last season’s league win.
