Perez looked distraught during the press conference as Zidane announced the news that he would be leaving the club. Credit/Daily Mail
Perez distraught as Zidane leaves Real Madrid
Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane told a hastily organised press conference on Thursday that he was leaving the Spanish giants.
“I have taken the decision to not continue next year as Real Madrid Coach. After three years, I needed another discourse. Another method of working”, he told a press conference.
Club president, Florentino Perez was distraught as Zidane made the announcement, adding that he was not looking for another club to coach.
“I have thought a lot about this decision and I can’t go back on it.” He added.
Real beat Liverpool 3-1 in the final in Kiev on Saturday, making Zidane the first coach in history to win three successive Champions League titles.
The Real Madrid squad toss Zidane in the air as they celebrate winning the club’s 13th European title on Saturday in Kiev. Credit/Daily Mail
Zidane, 45, has now won nine trophies since replacing Rafael Benitez in the Santiago Bernabeu dugout in January 2016.
Daily Mail says Chelsea boss Antonio Conte is the joint favourite to take over Real Madrid following Zinedine Zidane’s shock resignation.
“And Conte, whose future at Chelsea is far from certain, is in the running to take up the reins at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Former midfielder Guti, who played for the club between 1995 and 2010, is joint favourite with Conte at 4/1.
Guti is employed by the club as a youth coach but could be promoted to the senior team if president Florentino Perez decides to put his faith in him.
Arsene Wenger, who rejected overtures from Real Madrid during his time at Arsenal, is also a leading contender to replace his compatriot at 6/1.
Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri and former Napoli boss Maurizio Sarri, who has been linked with Chelsea, are both priced at 8/1 with SkyBet.
Tottenham fans will be worried at seeing Mauricio Pochettino at just 10/1 despite the Argentine signing a new five-year deal.
Reports suggest his contract stipulates he can speak to Real Madrid or Paris Saint-Germain if they make a move to hire him”, the paper forecast.