Zinedine Zidane resigns as coach of Real Madrid

Zinedine Zidane has decided to resign as the coach of Real Madrid, the Spanish giants confirmed on Thursday. The Los Blancos had a winless season as they finished at the second place in the LA Liga with 84 points. Madrid won their final league game against Villarreal by 2-1 but it was not enough for them to overtake Atletico Madrid, who were crowned as champions.

On the other hand, Madrid was knocked out by Chelsea after they lost 3-1 on aggregate in the semi-final of the UEFA Champions league.

“Real Madrid announces that Zinedine Zidane has decided to bring to an end his current spell as coach of our club,” a Madrid statement read. “It’s time now to respect his decision and show our appreciation for his professionalism, dedication and passion for all these years, and for what he represents for Real Madrid… He knows that Real Madrid is and always will be his home.”

“You might think I walk away from responsibility or leave when things get complicated, but no, never,” Zidane said on May 15 when pushed on his future. “What I do is give everything, to the end, and then the moment comes to change… I don’t leave because it’s easy. There are moments when you have to stay, and others when you have to go.”

Meanwhile, Zidane had played five years as a player for Real Madrid and he was always instrumental in the success of the team. As a coach, he won an unprecedented three consecutive Champions League trophies in 2016, 2017 and 2018, as well as the club’s first La Liga title in five years in 2017.

In fact, Zidane never had a winless season with Real Madrid where he failed to take the team to any silverware.