After his shock departure from Real Madrid, Zinedine Zidane claims he will not be looking for another job.
Zidane announced he would be stepping down at the Bernabeu after calling a press conference on Thursday afternoon.
The decision was unexpected having just claimed a third Champions League title, but the Frenchman insists he is not set to take up another role.
Zinedine Zidane claims he will not be taking up another job after resigning as Real Madrid boss
Zidane, speaking at the press conference, said: ‘I’m not going to coach another team right now. I’m not looking for another team.’
It was an emotional moment for the 45-year-old as he delivered the news he would be leaving the club that has given him so much as a player and now, as a manager.
But it was a decision he believes was necessary for the club to keep moving forward and current crop of players to continue having success.
Zidane believes the players and club need a new voice in the dressing room to move forward
‘I love this club, I love the president,’ he said. ‘He gave me the opportunity to come as a player and now manager and I am eternally grateful.
‘But we have to change.’
‘I will be close to this club for the rest of my life. I want to thank the fans, who always supported me both as a coach and a player. There were tough moments during the season and although I was sometimes whistled at, I want to thank the fans.
‘This is a beautiful moment as we have just won a third straight Champions League and I have now reflected and made this decision. Even the players need this change, I must thank them too.’
There were murmurs throughout the season that Zidane could be heading for the exit door, with Madrid’s campaign looking to unfold before him.
The club fell well off the pace of rivals Barcelona in the league, where they ultimately finished third and a staggering 17 points behind the champions. They also suffered a humbling defeat to Leganes in the Copa del Rey quarter-final.
President Florentino Perez admits he was shocked by decision but says ‘club is his family’
But a third consecutive Champions League put those fears at bay and President Florentino Perez reveals he was surprised by the resignation.
‘After winning the Champions League, the decision was unexpected,’ he said. ‘It is a sad day for me, the fans and the players.
‘But he knows I wanted him as a player and as a manager. I wanted him to stay forever and I wanted to convince him to stay. But I know it was his final decision. All I want to do is remind him that this club is his home and family.’
It appears Zidane will now take a sabbatical before deciding on his next steps, in a similar move to that of Pep Guardiola and most recently former Barcelona boss Luis Enrique.
Real Madrid won’t have that luxury and will begin the search for a replacement immediately. Arsene Wenger and Antonio Conte are the early frontrunners.
Arsene Wenger is the bookies’ favourite to become the next Real Madrid manager