Zinedine Zidane shocked the soccer world by resigning as head coach of Real Madrid. This unexpected Zidane’s move comes less than a week after he won third straight Champions League trophy with the most successful European soccer team in history. The 45-year-old announced his decision at a press conference held on Thursday.
“I am doing this for the good of this team, for this club,” – Zidane explained his decision. “It would have been difficult for me to win again next year. There have been good moments, but also difficult times. I do not forget that. And at this club, you must know this: I do not want to start a season and have a bad time. I want to end with Real Madrid when everything is going well. I did it as a player, and now again as a coach. This [is] the right moment to end things well.“
Zinedine Zidane also denied reports that he is departing because of the conflict between him and certain Real Madrid players saying that he will continue to have a great relationship with everyone at the club.
“It is a difficult moment, as I am saying I am leaving, but it is not a sad day for me,” – he added. “It is just an ‘until soon.’ I will always be close to this club. I know many people here, and that relationship will not change, not with the president either. I am not tired of coaching after three years. But it is the moment to [leave] now. I’m not going to manage another side now. I’m not looking for another team.”
Zinedine Zidane played for Real Madrid from 2001 to 2006 and won 6 trophies during that time including one La Liga and one Champions League trophy. After concluding his career as a player in 2006, he decided to make hiatus from football before taking over Real Madrid’s B team in 2014. In 2016, he was selected as a replacement for Rafa Benitez, taking over Real’s first team and leading them immediately to Champions League trophy. In two following seasons, he won two more Champions League trophies alongside one La Liga title.
