LONDON: French football legend Zinedine Zidane called it quits on Thursday as the manager of Real Madrid, five days after leading the LaLiga giants to a hat-trick of Champions League titles.
Zidane will go down as the only manager in the history of club football to have achieved this feat. Real also won the LaLiga title in 2017 during his reign.
Zidane claimed the club needs “a different voice” and that “everything changes” to explain the rationale behind the decision.
“I love this club,” Zidane said at a press conference called to announce his surprise decision.
“What I think is that this team needs to continue winning but I think it needs a change, a different voice, another methodology. And that’s why I took this decision.”
The 45-year old took over from Rafael Benitez in January 2016 in a Real side that was in disarray. In his 149-match stint, Real won 104 matches and drew 29 of them, having a 69.8% win rate alongside nine trophies, BBC reports.
Zidane had indicated in February that he would call it quits if he believed that “there is nothing more to give”.
“It’s a strange moment to do so, I know, but an important one too,” he added.
“I had to do this for everyone.”
Zidane’s decision has come at a time when superstars Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale are reportedly reconsidering their futures at the club for different reasons.
Bale expressed his disappointment in playing as a substitute in the Champions League final against Liverpool.
However, Zidane denied that it played a role in his resignation.
“I had the respect of all, above all the players, which has been fundamental in achieving things”.
“The players have nothing to do with my decision, it is about what I think,” Zidane concluded.
His successor will be decided by club president Florentino Perez, who was keen on extending Zidane’s tenure.
“This was a totally unexpected decision. Zidane informed me of his choice yesterday (Wednesday),” Perez said in the conference.
“It is a sad day for me and will be for the fans, the players and everyone at the club.
“I wanted him to be next to me forever. But I know it is his final decision.
“I would have liked to convince him to stay on but I know what he is like.”, he signed off.
