Real Madrid boss, Zinedine Zidane will no longer coach the team after announcing his retirement five days after leading them to a third straight Champions League triumph.
Zidane confirmed his departure claiming the club needs “a different voice”.
The club announced today, Thursday, 31st of May that Zidane was to appear in a hastily arranged news conference where he made this surprise known to the world. He said;
“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.
Advertisement“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.”
Zidane, 45, took over the magement of the Real team after Rafael Benitez was sacked and was in charge for 149 games. He steered Real to 104 wins and 29 draws, had 69.8% win rate, and won nine trophies.
However, there are speculations that 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.