Zidane leaves Real Madrid days after winning 3rd straight Champions League title
Five days after winning the Champions League for the third year in a row, Zinedine Zidane stunned the football world with news of his decision to step down as Real Madrid manager.
Zidane made the announcement Thursday alongside club president Florentino Perez, saying he had taken the club as far as he could during his two-and-a-half years in charge.
“I love this club and the president dearly but it is time for a change, and that is why I took this decision to step down,” Zidane said.
Gracias Zidane. pic.twitter.com/Npo3bFN0Mb
— #CHAMP13NS ???? (@realmadriden) May 31, 2018
Despite leading the club to yet another Champions League triumph, it appears that Real Madrid’s failures in the league and Copa del Rey took a toll on the 45-year-old.
“If I was the manager here next season, it would have been tough for us to win trophies. You saw in the Copa (del Rey) this season and I can’t forget our domestic campaign that easily,” he added, according to the Guardian.
Real Madrid finished the domestic campaign 17 points back of La Liga champion Barcelona in third place, and bowed out of the Copa del Rey after losing to Leganes in the quarter-finals.
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
Perez, who said he hoped the Frenchman would be by his side “forever,” echoed a sentiment shared by many in saying that he was surprised by Zidane’s departure.
“This was a totally unexpected decision. Zidane informed me of his choice yesterday,” added Perez.
Real Madrid enjoyed a wildly successful spell under Zidane, who was appointed manager in January 2016 following Rafael Benitez’s dismissal. Less than five months later, Zidane guided Real Madrid to European glory.
9 – Zinedine Zidane picked up nine trophies in his two years and four months with Real Madrid, the most titles by a manager with the club since Miguel Muñoz won 14 trophies in 14 years (1960 – 1974). Galactico. pic.twitter.com/9h43EUoGb7
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) May 31, 2018
He entered the record books after his last match in charge when Real Madrid beat Liverpool 3-1 in the Champions League final, becoming the first manager in the modern era to win the tournament three consecutive times.
The win also admitted Zidane to an exclusive club as only the third manager – alongside Carlo Ancelotti and Liverpool’s legendary Bob Paisley – to win a trio of European Cups/Champions League trophies.
Zidane as Madrid coach (2016-18) ?
UEFA Champions League
???
UEFA Super Cup
??
Club World Cup
???
Spanish Super Cup
?
Liga
?#UCL #UCLfinal pic.twitter.com/iPaSM4MIv1— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) May 31, 2018
Although Perez did not delve into possible replacements, Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has previously been linked to the job, reports the BBC, though he just signed a new five-year deal. Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri and former Napoli manager Maurizio Sarri are also reportedly expected to be considered for one of the most desirable jobs in football.
