In a shocking move, Zinedine Zidane stepped down as the head coach of Real Madrid, less than a week after guiding the club to their third successive Champions League title. Announcing the news, the French manager said that it is a right team to leave, adding that the players now need a “different methodology”.
““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” said Zidane at a press conference.
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Zidane, however, clarified that it was entirely his decision to leave the Santiago Bernabeu club and that no one pushed him out of the door.
““I have taken the decision not continue as coach of Real Madrid next year. 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.”
The 45-year-old’s announcement comes just five days after Real Madrid clinched a 3-1 win over Liverpool in the high-octane Champions League final clash at the Olimpiyskiy National Sports Complex.
With this victory Zidane joined the league of Bob Paisley and Carlo Ancelotti’s, the coaches to have lifted the European Cup thrice.
Besides bagging three European titles, Zidane had also guided the Spanish club to one La Liga glory since taking over as the Real manager only in January 2016.