Zinedine Zidane has decided to leave his position as coach of Real Madrid, the Spanish club said Thursday in confirming weeks of speculation surrounding his future.
“We must now respect his decision and express our gratitude for his professionalism, dedication and passion over the years and what he means to Real Madrid,” the club said in a statement.
The French coach had a contract until June 2022, but had reportedly already told Real Madrid players earlier in May he would leave at the end of the 2020-21 season, dpa reported.
“Zidane is one of Real Madrid’s great icons and his legacy extends beyond what he has achieved as a coach and player at our club,” Real said.
“He is aware that he has a place in the hearts of the Real Madrid fans and that he will always have a home at Real Madrid.”
In his first spell at the club from January 2016 to May 2018, Zidane secured three consecutive Champions League titles and won the Spanish league once.
His second term was not as successful as the first, but after his return in March 2019, he led Madrid to La Liga title in 2020. In 113 games, he had 67 wins, 25 draws and 20 defeats.
This season, however, Zidane and Madrid finished without a trophy, which meant Real didn’t win a title for the first time in 11 years.
They were second in La Liga, two points behind champions and city rivals Altetico Madrid.
In the Champions League, Zidane and his side were knocked out by Chelsea in the semi-finals after they already had been eliminated of the Spanish Cup by third division side Alcoyano in the third round.
The Spanish giants are yet to announce a new coach. Massimiliano Allegri was pointed out as a top favourite, but he will reportedly return to Juventus, where he won five consecutive Italian league titles.
Antonio Conte is reportedly also a target after he left Italian champions Inter Milan on Wednesday, while former club striker Raul Gonzalez has been linked with the post.
Raul is currently the coach of Real Castilla, Madrid’s team B, a post also held by Zidane before he was first promoted to the top job.
