Zinedine Zidane spoke in a press conference on Thursday afternoon to announce his decision to resign as Real Madrid head coach. The Frenchman explained that Los Blancos “needs a change” after winning three consecutive Champions League titles.
Zidane explained his reasons with Real president Florentino Pérez seated next to him who had a surprised look on his face – like every Real Madrid supporter and player.
Pérez said the 45-year-old was in his office on Wednesday to deliver the bad news and tried to convince him to reconsider. He admitted it was impossible to get Zidane to reverse his decision as he’d already made up his mind, however.
Zizou explained:
“I took the decision of not being the Real Madrid coach next year. I spoke with the president to explain him what I thought. It’s the moment for all of us. The first one for me, for the squad and for the club. I think this team needs to keep winning and it needs a change. After three years, the team needs another speech, another methodology and this is why I took this decision.”
A Real legend as a player, the French coach has now become one as a manager and has nothing but mutual love to give the staff and supporters after his decision to leave.
He added:
“I love a lot this club, also the president, who gave me the opportunity to play at Real Madrid and I will be thankful my whole life, but today we have to change for me and for everybody. And that’s why I took this decision.”
Despite winning a third consecutive Champions League trophy, Zidane experienced some lows with Real last season, suffering a surprise defeat to Leganés in the Copa del Rey. He described it as his worst moment as a coach.
“There are difficult moments and these things make you think about. It’s the moment. The players need a change. I want to thank the footballers, who are the ones that fight in the pitch. It’s the moment to have another speech and continue winning.”
In two-and-a-half-years as Real head coach, Zidane won three Champions League, one La Liga title, two European Super Cups, tww FIFA Clubs World Cup and one Spanish Super Cup – winning nine trophies out of a possible 13.