Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane has quit as manager of the Spanish football team after an unprecedented Champions League victory against Liverpool, a record which marked the club’s third consecutive CL trophy under his leadership and their fourth in five years.
Zidane is currently holding a press conference alongside club president Florentino Perez.
Speaking at the football event which kicked off at 12pm, the Frenchman announced his retirement as Los Blancos coach and stressed that his decision to leave at the height of his career would serve everyone’s interest.
Zidane had on Saturday masterminded Madrid’s triumph over Liverpool in Kiev, Ukraine, but his team’s third-place finish in LaLiga prompted his admission that someone else should take the helm of affairs and possibly use a different approach with the champions.
Media reports confirm Zidane’s press conference was hastily arranged to enable him make a public announcement. This announcements finally brings an end to the lengthy speculations on his future at the Santiago Bernabeu.
“I have taken the decision to not continue going into the next season,” Zizou said in the video from Real Madrid’s official YouTube channel.
He continued, “For me and for everybody, I think the moment to change has arrived. It was not an easy decision.
“I will be close to this club for the rest of my life. I want to thank the fans, who always supported me both as a coach and a player.
“There were tough moments during the season and although I was sometimes whistled at, I want to thank the fans...This team must keep winning, and it needs a change after three years, another voice, another method of working.”
Zinedine Zidane explains why he left Real Madrid! pic.twitter.com/6NkG6dISGc
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) May 31, 2018
During his time as Madrid coach, Zidane played 149 games and won a total of 104. His achievements include 3 Champions League trophies, 1 La Liga and 0 European knock-out defeats, among others.
Perez expressed disappointment as his manager’s decision, saying he had hoped the Frenchman he would be Madrid’s longest-serving coach.
As a player and coach you decided to say goodbye at the top. Thank you for two and a half incredible years. Your legacy will never be erased, one of the most successful chapters in the history of our beloved @realmadrid pic.twitter.com/dO6bw74aA3
— Sergio Ramos (@SergioRamos) May 31, 2018
Zidane had to leave. How can anyone top 3 UCLs without having to spend £500m?He will go down as the greatest manager ever in Spanish football history. Even those philosophers & frauds from Catalonia who pretend their way of football is the only way don't come close to him.
— Babanla (@biolakazeem) May 31, 2018
Zidane's record at Madrid 👌
Played: 149
Wins: 104
Draws: 29
Defeats: 16
Win percentage: 69.79%#UCL #UCLfinal pic.twitter.com/wfzFf6OJen— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) May 31, 2018
Transfer expenditure during Zidane’s #RealMadrid reign:#Zidane €70.5 million
Mourinho €349.4 million
Conte €390.6 million
Guardiola €528.5 millionTitles over the last three years:
Zidane 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆 (9)
Guardiola 🏆🏆 (2)
Conte 🏆🏆 (2)
Mourinho 🏆🏆🏆 (3) pic.twitter.com/K0LlN5cDR8— indifoot (@indifoot) May 31, 2018
Perez may be used to sacking managers, but he was not prepared for Zidane walking away from Real Madrid pic.twitter.com/kPhB0CgTMZ
— GOAL (@goal) May 31, 2018
