EUROPEAN FOOTBALL

Zinedine Zidane decides to step down as Real Madrid Manager

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According to several reports, Zinedine Zidane has decided to step down as the Real Madrid manager. Zidane has resigned as Real Madrid manager with immediate effect, just days after the club was beaten to the La Liga title by Atletico Madrid.

Real beat Villarreal 2-1 in their final game of  La Liga this season on Saturday, but that wasn’t enough to overtake rivals Atletico Madrid, who secured a 2-1 comeback win at Real Valladolid to clinch the trophy.

Zidane finished the 2020-21 season without any silverware. Real Madrid finished second in La Liga behind Atletico Madrid and was knocked out of the Copa del Rey by Alcoyano. Los Blancos also reached the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League but were knocked out by Premier League side Chelsea.

The Frenchman spent five years at the club as a player, then worked as an assistant to Carlo Ancelotti, and coached B-team Castilla. In 2016, he took over the manager position at Bernabeu.

He then won an unprecedented three consecutive Champions League trophies in 2016, 2017, and 2018, as well as the club’s first La Liga title in five years in 2017. He first resigned in May 2018, saying he believed the squad would benefit from a change of coach.

Zidane agreed to return in March 2019, after Real Madrid sacked their previous managers Julen Lopetegui and Santiago Solari. And the Frenchman ended the season with his second league title and Spanish Super Cup.

But this season he has not been effective following the pandemic and the long list of injuries. It was rumored that Zidane will resign from his position due to poor performance. It has come true as he has decided to terminate his contract which would have made him stay one more season.

Options for Madrid to replace Zidane

Massimiliano Allegri: 

A successful name as a manager in European football. Allegri had quit as the manager of Juventus in 2019 having failed to earn a Champions League title despite having been in charge for 5 years. Allegri has since been linked with several jobs including clubs like Arsenal, Chelsea, and PSG. However, he didn’t take any job but might sign for Real Madrid. A rumor is also there that Madrid has already approached him with a two-year deal. But, Real have to hurry about the deal as Juventus also approached the Italian.

Antonio Conte: 

The latest entry in the race is Conte who has won titles with Juventus, Chelsea, and most recently at Inter Milan. He guided Inter Milan to the club’s first Serie A title in 10 years. But, the Italian is said to have quit due to financial restrictions at the club. With Madrid being a much wealthier side than Inter. Conte’s transfer plans could match with the Spanish giants who are in desperate need of reinforcements too.

Raul:

The Real Madrid legend is also a top candidate for the post. Raul has been coaching Real Madrid’s junior side, Castilla. He knows the club inside out and is also a brand ambassador. Raul could be looked at as an option by the Real Madrid management. The promotion within could be good for the structure of the club. Raul’s success at Castilla has invited interest from some other top-division clubs across Europe too. If not given a chance at Real Madrid, he could go on to fetch another job soon.

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