Madrid (AFP)
Whether he ends up champion or not with Real Madrid, the future of Zinedine Zidane as coach of the Merengue club is now written in dotted lines.
Two points ahead by Atlético Madrid one day before the end of La Liga, Zidane contemplates the prospect of a first season virgin title on the bench merengue.
And multiplies the allusions to a possible departure for several weeks.
"There are times when you have to leave, for the good of all": these words of Zidane, at a press conference on Saturday, resonated even louder on Sunday evening, after the 37th day.
Despite the victory against Athletic Bilbao (1-0), Real Madrid saw their chances of being crowned dwindle, Atlético winning at the same time against Osasuna (2-1).
And even if he qualifies as a "lie" the assertion of the Spanish media according to which he has already announced his departure to his players, "Zizou", under contract until 2022, still refuses to comment on his future at Real. next season.
"You might think that every time I give up my job to take away all responsibility, or because things get too complicated, something like that. Absolutely not. What I do, I do it thoroughly. . After, sometimes, there comes a time when things have to change, "slipped the French coach on Saturday.
- Used to drama -
"I don't know what's going to happen. I'm not looking at the past or the future. The present, thoroughly," Zidane insisted.
"I savor every moment, every day spent here. When I see my players training, it moves me. Sincerely. I'm very lucky, I know it. So I enjoy every moment," assured "ZZ" Saturday, in a press conference which had goodbye accents: "I am very proud of the whole team, of all the players. We are writing something together, and each one, in this great club. Something that will stay forever ”.
Time and time again, Zidane has repeated that this season has been his biggest challenge at the head of Real: a preseason cut short by the pandemic, a cascade of injuries and disillusionment galore, in the Copa del Rey, in the Supercopa de Espana, in the Champions League, and perhaps in the league.
Used to drama, Zidane had gotten into the habit of going to the top.
In 2006, "Zizou" retired in a World Cup final lost to Italy after a legendary "bowling" on Marco Materazzi.
On May 31, 2018, he announced his departure from Real Madrid five days after the third consecutive coronation gleaned in the Champions League, an unprecedented feat until then.
This time, in the event of departure, the Marseillais could bow out on a virgin title season, a great first for the coach Zidane since his debut in 2014 at the head of Castilla, the reserve of Real, and leaving a crew in crying need of renewal.
- The Raul Alternative -
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Sometimes cited as a potential candidate for the post of coach of the France team, Zidane is also still very far from the Blues, guided by the indestructible Didier Deschamps, under contract until the end of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
The Spanish press has already started to find a replacement for Zidane: his former teammate Raul, who is now doing wonders as coach of Castilla, following almost the same route as his illustrious elder Marseille.
Raul would be "the favorite to take the bench if Zidane stops," Marca said.
"Raul, the alternative", headlined Saturday, in One, the best-selling newspaper in Spain.
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