Ahead of Real Madrid’s final games of the season, Zidane has reportedly informed the squad of his future plans.
Zinedine Zidane reportedly told the Real Madrid squad he intends to leave at the end of the 2020/21 campaign last week.
The Frenchman has remained coy about his future plans until now, insisting his priority lies with Real Madrid’s remaining games of the season as the club attempt to defend their La Liga title.
It seems Zidane, though, has already made his mind up.
According to Spanish radio network Onda Cero, he told the squad of plans to leave in the buildup to last Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Sevilla.
🚨| According to @marca it's true that Zidane has told his players that he will leave Madrid.
— Madrid Xtra. (@MadridXtra) May 15, 2021
The 46-year-old, who took charge of Real Madrid for a second time in March 2019 after previously quitting a year earlier, feels his time as the club’s manager is over and hinted that may be the case on Saturday.
“There are times when a change is best for everyone,” he said during a press conference.
Doubts over Zidane’s future first resurfaced back in March upon refusing to state whether he intends to continue. He has reiterated several times his focus lies on ‘the next day’, not his long-term future.
“You can have a four or five-year contract and leave tomorrow… it doesn’t mean anything,” Zidane said on April 17.
Zidane: "Maybe you think I'm quitting because I'm taking responsibility or I'm quitting because things get complicated. Never, nothing. The only thing is that what I do I do it to the max. And there comes a time when things … It's time to change."
— Los Blancos Live (@LosBlancos_Live) May 15, 2021
Real Madrid are yet to comment on this latest report, although no announcement will probably be made until the season, or at least the club’s title defense, is over.
As things stand, Zidane remains under contract until June 2022 with the Spanish champions.
Former Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri, Germany boss Joachim Low, and Castilla coach Raul Gonzalez are the reported favorites to become the next Real Madrid manager if Zidane leaves.
The Spanish champions will face Athletic Club in another La Liga match on Sunday evening.
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