Zinedine Zidane announces departure to Real Madrid squad

By Conor Laird


Published: May 15, 2021 9:44 pm

Last Updated: May 15, 2021 9:47 pm

Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane has informed the club’s stars of his intention to depart in the summer, according to reports.

Zizou on the move

Speculation surrounding the future of French tactician Zidane has of course come back to the fore in a major way of late.

With Los Blancos having been ousted from the Champions League in comfortable fashion by Chelsea, and now in serious danger of surrendering their status as Spanish champions to city rivals Atletico, a summer of change may well be on the horizon at the Bernabeu.

Zidane, in turn, has seen his place on the bench in Madrid thrown into serious doubt.

The 48-year-old has overseen one of the most fruitful patches in the storied history of Los Merengues, guiding the club to no less than three Champions League titles, along with two league crowns, and a pair of Spanish Super Cups.

With the ‘old guard’ of Sergio Ramos, Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Karim Benzema inching towards the twilight years of their respective careers, though, it has long been suggested that a change at the helm could prove beneficial, in ushering in a new era.

Real Madrid’s Spanish defender Sergio Ramos celebrates with Real Madrid’s French defender Ferland Mendy after scoring during the Spanish league football match real Real Madrid CF against RCD Mallorca at at the Alfredo di Stefano stadium in Valdebebas, on the outskirts of Madrid, on June 24, 2020. (Photo by JAVIER SORIANO / AFP) (Photo by JAVIER SORIANO/AFP via Getty Images)

Just today, for example, reports in the English media suggested that a Bernabeu return could be on the cards for Carlo Ancelotti.

Whatever the case may be, though, one thing now looks for certain. And that is that Zinedine Zidane is indeed set to move on.

As per a report from the reliable Goal.com, the legendary tactician has informed Real’s squad that he intends to bring an end to his time with the club in the summer:

? Zinedine Zidane has told his players that he will LEAVE Real Madrid at the end of the season, Goal can confirm. pic.twitter.com/QcNsCMr8Ld

— Goal (@goal) May 15, 2021

Bilbao showdown

News of Zidane’s imminent exit of course comes just 24 hours before Real are due to play out an absolutely pivotal fixture in the La Liga title race.

On Sunday evening, the capital giants will make the trip to the Basque country, for a showdown with Athletic Bilbao.

And anything but a win for Los Blancos at the San Mames, coupled with an Atletico victory, would see Diego Simeone’s men mathematically confirmed as the champions of Spain for the 2021/22 campaign.

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