Zinedine Zidane leaves Real Madrid for second time as manager

Zinedine Zidane had one year remaining on his Real Madrid contract

Manager Zinedine Zidane has left Real Madrid for the second time in his coaching career.

Real failed to win a trophy this season and were pipped to the La Liga title by city rivals Atletico Madrid on a dramatic final day on Saturday.

Real said in a statement that they “must now respect” Zidane’s decision.

They thanked Zidane, 48, for his “professionalism, dedication and passion over the years and what he means to Real Madrid”.

Former France forward Zidane, who played for Real from 2001 to 2006, won three consecutive Champions League titles and a La Liga title in his first period as manager between 2016 and 2018.

He returned to a club in disarray 10 months later and secured a second La Liga title last season.

Not since the 2009-10 campaign have Real failed to win a trophy.

They suffered an early exit from the Copa del Rey at the hands of third division side Alcoyano and lost to Chelsea in the Champions League semi-finals.

“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,” read the Real statement.

“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.”

Earlier this month, Zidane, who had a year left on his contract, denied reports external-link that he had informed his squad he would leave at the end of the season.

His future was a constant topic of discussion in the Spanish press this season, contributing to several spiky exchanges, with Zidane saying he and his players deserved more respect.

He is the only manager to win the Champions League three times, and his trophy haul at Real also included two Club World Cups, two Uefa Super Cups and two Spanish Super Cups.