It has never easy to be a Real Madrid fan. Minutes after winning their record-breaking 13th Champions League, there was speculation that their hero from the final Gareth Bale plans to move out. Hours after the triumph, comes the news that their talisman Cristiano Ronaldo is looking for a change. And now, not even a week has passed since the historical victory and their coach, Real Madrid legend (absolute legend) Zinedine Zidane, has decided to step down from the post.
On Thursday, Zidane called for a press conference and announced his shocking decision. The reason given for his exit – “though winning should be constant, the club needs a change in methodology after three years” – can be described as vague at best.
At Madrid, such things have happened before. In 1998, German coach Jupp Heynckes was sacked immediately after winning the Champions League. Again, five years later in 2003, Spanish coach Vincente Del Bosque was shown the door weeks after he led the team to their ninth European title.
This time around the only difference is that instead of the club, the coach has decided to break up.
Zidane’s Successor
At a time when you are still not done processing the news of Zidane’s exit, you already have another thing to worry about. Who will be Zidane’s successor?
Minutes after the resignation, names of Chelsea boss Antonio Conte, German coach Joachim Loew and even former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger (not joking) has been doing the rounds.
But the name that is attracting serious interest is Tottenham’s Mauricio Pochettino. According to reports in the Spanish media, the Spurs boss could be announced as the new Real boss in the coming days.
Spanish website Don Balon has claimed that Pochettino, who signed a new five-year deal with Spurs last week, has a clause in his contract that the Argentine can move to Real or PSG if they want him. Though English websites have refuted the claims, it is a known fact that Real Madrid President Florentino Perez has more than once gone out of his way the get things done.
While Pochettino has led Tottenham to three consecutive top three finishes in the top flight, he is yet to win a trophy and if he makes his way to Santiago Bernebeu, his management skills will be up for serious test with Ramos and Co.
What Next For Zidane?
After spending seventeen years at the club, Zidane will be finally walking out of Real Madrid.
Even after finishing his playing career, Zidane hardly left the Madrid club. In November 2010, Zidane was appointed as a special adviser to Real Madrid's first team after an appeal made by then-Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho. Next season, he was made Real Madrid's new sporting director. In 2013, Zidane was appointed assistant coach to Carlo Ancelotti at Real. Before taking up the job with the senior team, Zidane was working with Real Madrid Castilla, Real Madrid's B team, as their coach.
Just like how Spanish media is now overflowing with news of Pochettino moving to Spain, their English counterpart is also not leaving any stone unturned to connect the former Madrid boss with Chelsea.
It will be really interesting to see what project he takes up in the coming days.
Zidane’s Legacy
In his two and half years at helm, Zidane has won everything out there for the ‘Los Blancos’. The list includes, one La Liga, one Spanish Super Cup, three UEFA Champions League, two UEFA Super Cup and two FIFA Club World Cup.
Zidane’s three back-to back Champions League wins will take some time before it is replicated. May be not even at Real Madrid. As a player with the French side he didn’t get the opportunity to end his career on a high, but here at Madrid he left on his own terms and at an absolute career high.
Maybe, it is the champion in him which now longs for a greater challenge and with a different team. Or he just wants a break, a time away from the gruelling international calendar to bask in his enviable glory. Because a year’s break may not be enough to celebrate what Zizou has achieved at the Spanish capital.
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)