By Daily sports on May 16, 2021
Zinedine Zidane hinted on Saturday he could leave as coach of Real Madrid at the end of the season, saying he believes “there comes a time when it’s the moment to change”.
Zidane’s contract expires in 2022 but he has repeatedly refused to confirm he will still be at the club next season.
The Frenchman has a history of surprises after resigning as coach unexpectedly in 2018 before making a shock return a year later.
As a player, he initially announced his retirement from international football in 2004 before coming back for the 2006 World Cup, after which he retired for good.
“You talk about me leaving in 2006 and 2018 and it’s like you think I leave because I’m shirking responsibility or that I quit when things get tough,” said Zidane in a press conference.
“It’s not, the only thing about me is that what I do, I do to the end, and then there comes a time when it’s the moment to change. For everyone, not just for me. For the club, for the good of the club, for the people.
“I don’t leave because it’s easy. It’s not like I turn away and don’t look back. No, there are moments when you have to be there and there are moments when that’s it, it’s finished, it’s time to change. But for the good of everyone, not just for me.”
Zidane spoke warmly about his players, describing his relationship with them as one of “total respect” while adding their time together is “something that will be there forever”.
When it was put to him that it felt like he was saying goodbye, Zidane said: “I can only say the same thing. I don’t know what will happen. I’m here now, yes, and tomorrow we are going to play. Then we will have one match left.
“The rest, I don’t know what will happen. This is Real Madrid. I don’t know if it’s a strength but I am always about the day to day. It’s always been like this.”
Real Madrid play away at Athletic Bilbao on Sunday, knowing anything but a victory at San Mames will mean Atletico Madrid win the title if they beat Osasuna at the Wanda Metropolitano.
They sit two points behind Atletico Madrid in La Liga, with two games left to play.
“We have to look at what we can control,” said Zidane. “The important thing is to keep winning ourselves.”
Toni Kroos is the latest player to join Madrid’s lengthy list of absentees, with the German midfielder self-isolating after coming into contact with someone that tested positive for Covid-19.
Sergio Ramos, Raphael Varane, Ferland Mendy, Dani Carvajal and Lucas Vazquez are all injured. (AFP)
•PHOTO: Zinedine Zidane
Source Daily sports
Posted May 16, 2021
You may also like...
Rudiger Linked With Chelsea Exit After Barnsley Axe...
Arrows assess Nigerian star Omeke
Solari backs forgotten Isco to restore joy to...
Man United Reviving Interest In Inter Milan Winger...
Champions League: Roma boss looking for another miracle...
Hamilton Breaks Down As Vettel Tops F1 Testing...

AFCON 2025 highlights: World-class stadiums, VAR drama, record attendance
Oliseh slams Osimhen for costing Eagles’ AFCON trophy
3000 athletes, officials for Niger Delta Games in Edo
AFCON refs not up to standard – Henry
AFCON 2025: Akor Adams’ goal named among CAF’s top five
Joshua won’t want driver in jail – Uncle
NOC's Gumel hails Super Eagles' Triumph of Character, Transformation to secure AFCON bronze medal
Significant milestone as Nigeria's Gumel welcomes Oyedeji into IOC
AFCON 2025 Final: CAF Referees' Committee On Trial
Regragui slams referee for poor final officiating
Senegal team returns home, presents AFCON trophy to President
FULL LIST: 10 players who missed crucial penalties on football's biggest stages
Rangers International going, going . . . (63,488 views)
Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (54,781 views)
Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (52,675 views)
Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (52,342 views)
Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (52,270 views)
Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (52,183 views)
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (52,045 views)
NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (51,601 views)
Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (50,780 views)
Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (49,307 views)
Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (47,700 views)
John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (47,166 views)