Zinedine Zidane has announced that he is quitting as Real Madrid manager. The Frenchman called an impromptu press conference on Thursday to confirm that he will be leaving his position as coach, despite recently lifting the Champions League once again only five days ago.
Real finished three points ahead of Barcelona as they won their first league title since 2012 before crushing Juventus 4-1 in the Champions League final to become the first side to win the competition in its current format in back-to-back seasons.
Zidane won nine major honours as Real coach and the 45-year-old's crowning glory came last Saturday as he joined an elite group of managers including Bob Paisley and Carlo Ancelotti by lifting the European Cup for the third time as coach.
Zidane said: "I love this club and the president who gave me the chance to play for this club and manage the club of my dreams.
"But everything changes and that's why I've taken the decision to leave.
"What I think is that this team needs to continue winning but I think it needs a change, a different voice, another methodology and that's why I took this decision."
Some key facts about Zinedine Zidane:
EARLY LIFE
Born 23 June, 1972 in Marseille, France.
Began his playing career with AS Cannes and made his professional debut in May 1989.
PLAYING CAREER
Moved to Girondins Bordeaux in 1992 and scored 28 goals in 139 league appearances during four seasons.
Moved to Juventus in 1996. Helped the club win two Serie A titles in his first two seasons. Won the European Super Cup and the World Club Cup with Juventus.
Played in the Champions League final in 1997 and 1998 but Juventus were beaten both times, by Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid respectively.
Became the world’s most expensive player in 2001 as he moved from Juventus to Real Madrid for 77.5 million euros ($90.68 million).
Helped Real Madrid win the Champions League in 2002 with a majestic winner in the 2-1 final victory over Bayer Leverkusen. Also won the Intercontinental Cup as Real beat South American champions Olimpia 2-0.
Won the Liga title with Real Madrid in 2003.
INTERNATIONAL CAREER
Made France debut in 2-2 draw against the Czech Republic in August 1994. Scored two goals in 17 minutes after coming on as a second-half substitute.
During the 1998 World Cup, was sent off after 70 minutes of France’s 4-0 first-round victory over Saudi Arabia and missed the next two matches. Headed in two first-half goals to help France win their first World Cup with a 3-0 victory over Brazil.
Named player of the tournament as he helped France to victory in Euro 2000.
Retired from international soccer in August 2004 but a year later announced his comeback. Having already said he would retire after the 2006 World Cup, he helped France reach the final against Italy.
Zidane was sent off during extra time in the final for butting Italy defender Marco Materazzi in the chest. Italy went on to win the title in the penalty shoot-out.
INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
FIFA World Player of the Year — 1998, 2000, 2003.
Ballon d’Or: 1998
European Player of the Year — 1998, 2001, 2002, 2003.
MANAGERIAL CAREER
In 2013, Zidane was appointed assistant coach to Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid.
Zidane replaced sacked Real manager Rafa Benitez in January 2016.
Became the first manager to win three European Cup titles in a row.
Zidane also guided the club to a Liga title in the 2016-17 season and two FIFA Club World Cup crowns.
LIST OF MANAGERIAL HONOURS La Liga 2016-17
Spanish Super Cup 2017
UEFA Champions League; 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18
Uefa Super Cup: 2016, 2017
FIFA Club World Cup: 2016, 2017
