Zinedine Zidane, the legendary French football player and coach, was a beloved figure at Real Madrid. He led the team to numerous victories during his tenure as a coach, but his departure from the club came as a shock to many. In this article, we will delve into when Zidane left Madrid as a coach and what led to his departure.
Who is Zinedine Zidane?
Zinedine Zidane is a former French professional footballer who played for several clubs, including Juventus and Real Madrid. He had a successful playing career and won numerous awards, including the Ballon d’Or three times. After retiring in 2006, he became a coach and joined Real Madrid’s coaching staff.
Zidane’s Tenure at Real Madrid
Zidane was appointed as Real Madrid’s head coach in January 2016 after Rafael Benitez was sacked. His first season as coach was successful as he led the team to their eleventh Champions League title and finished second in La Liga.
In his second season as coach (2016-17), Zidane led Real Madrid to their first La Liga title in five years and successfully defended their Champions League title by beating Juventus in the final.
The following season (2017-18), Zidane once again guided Real Madrid to their third consecutive Champions League title by beating Liverpool in the final. However, they finished third in La Liga that season.
Zidane’s Departure from Real Madrid
In May 2018, just days after winning his third consecutive Champions League title with Real Madrid, Zinedine Zidane announced that he would be stepping down as head coach of the club. The announcement came as a surprise to many fans and pundits alike.
In his press conference announcing his departure, Zidane stated that he felt it was the right time for him to leave and that the team needed a change. He also stated that he had no plans to coach another team immediately and wanted to take a break from football.
Zidane’s Return to Real Madrid
Zidane returned as Real Madrid’s head coach in March 2019, just ten months after he had left the club. During his second tenure, he led Real Madrid to their 34th La Liga title in 2019-20 season.
In May 2021, Zidane announced that he would be leaving Real Madrid once again at the end of the season. This time around, his departure was less surprising as there were rumors of his exit for weeks leading up to the announcement.
Conclusion
Zinedine Zidane is one of the greatest football coaches of all time, and his tenure at Real Madrid was nothing short of extraordinary. While his departures from the club were unexpected, they were not without reason. With three Champions League titles and two La Liga titles under his belt as a coach at Real Madrid, Zidane will always be remembered fondly by fans of the club.