Zidane leaves Real Madrid. As AS has learned, the decision is final and this Wednesday at the last minute it was communicated to both the players and the club's leaders. It will not continue. The coach had asked for a few days to think about his future after the last league match. His resignation to continue at Madrid (he had a contract until 2022) was an idea that he had been thinking about for several weeks, but it was not until this Wednesday that he communicated it definitively.
The coach wanted the players to find out almost at the same time as the leaders. That is why at the end of the day, when Florentino and José Ángel Sánchez learned of the decision, the French coach addressed his footballers one by one by message to inform them that he was leaving the bench and to thank you for your commitment throughout the time they have been at your service.
The decision was not a surprise to the dressing room, because Zizou He had been leaving messages in the talks for several weeks in which he dropped that he was before his last games as head of the team. The same happened in press conferences, in which Zidane dodged questions about his future, arguing that the only important thing was the game they had to play.
In Madrid, they also took it for granted for weeks that Zidane would leave at the end of the season. However, the priority has always been to convince the French to continue. Therefore, although they have wanted to know the availability of different technicians (among them Allegri and Raúl), they have always trusted in being able to give Zizou a project that will renew your illusion.
The Marseillais, for his part, has been firm in a decision that he has been meditating for quite some time. This has been the hardest season for him and the fact of finishing the course without lifting any title has not been relevant when it comes to his idea of leaving. Zidane was very hurt by the criticism he received during some sections of the season, although the club always conveyed its confidence and its intention to take stock at the end of the season.
The departure of Zidane represents a change in the roadmap set by Madrid, since until a few months ago they had their continuity. Despite this, the transfer policy for next season does not change. Mbappé is the highest priority and the intention is that the new coach who arrives takes advantage of the potential of young players, both those who are on the squad and those on loan.
Substitutes
In Madrid they have been analyzing for some time who should take the reins of the team. They have contacted Allegri and also Raúl, although in the last hours the name of Antonio Conte has gained strength. The Italian coach was in the orbit of Madrid in 2018, after the dismissal of Lopetegui, and in the last hours it has been known that he will not be Inter's coach next season. Zidane's decision to leave the bench is already final, because what Madrid can now openly negotiate with the different coaches it considers as substitutes.