Zinedine Zidane has told his Real Madrid squad that he will walk away from the club at the end of the 2020-21 season. Zidane revealed his decision in the dressing room prior to last Sunday’s draw away to Sevilla in La Liga.
It is the second time he has resigned from the post. He previously quit following Madrid’s third consecutive Champions League triumph in 2018.
Madrid will take on Athletic Club on Sunday in La Liga. Then they will conclude their season at home to Villarreal on May 23. Those will be Zidane’s last two games in charge of the Blancos, having decided to cut short his second spell on the bench.
The media had previously reported that the Madrid squad believed he would not stay at Madrid for another season. Especially after Madrid’s Champions League elimination at the hands of Chelsea at the semi-final stage.
The coach’s physical and mental fatigue are mentioned as possible reasons for his stepping down after he was drafted back into the hot seat in urgent circumstances towards the end of the 2018-19 campaign when both Julen Lopetegui and Santiago Solari failed to match his results at the Madrid helm.
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Zidane’s timing may nevertheless also stoke up rumors linking that he may go for a sensational return to Turin.
With Zidane’s exit confirmed inside the club, Real Madrid is looking for a new coach. Zidane will be tough to replace.
Raul is the best place to succeed his former teammate. Massimiliano Allegri and Joachim Low are also options, but Raul is the top candidate.
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