Spanish media reported - late on Saturday - that Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane informed his players that he would leave the rival club in the Spanish Football League at the end of the season, and had identified the names of candidates to succeed him.
"Onda Siro" radio station said that Zidane informed his players of his decision before the 2-2 draw with Sevilla in the league last week, when Real Madrid missed the opportunity to take the lead.
Spanish newspaper MARCA reported that Zidane spoke to his players on May 8, the day before the match.
The newspaper indicated that there are 3 nominees to succeed Zidane, they are: Raul, coach of Real Madrid's second team (Castilla) and one of the royal legends, former Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri, and Joachim Loew, coach of the German national team.
🙌 match today!
🙌
🆚 @Athletic_en
🏆 @LaLigaArab |
Round 37
🏟 San Mames
⏰ 19:30 🇸🇦
# # Athletic_Real Madrid pic.twitter.com/BRZY9GW82H
- Real Madrid CF (@realmadridarab) May 16, 2021
Real Madrid deposited the King's Cup at the hands of third-tier Alkoyano in January, and lost to Chelsea in their confrontation in the Champions League semi-final.
The Royal is two points behind La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid, two games at the end of the season, and has a weak chance of retaining the title.
When asked earlier on Saturday if he would continue with the team next season, Zidane said he would not give any guarantees.
"I don’t know what will happen. I am here and we will play tomorrow and next week, but I don’t know what will happen next because this is Real Madrid," he told a news conference before the Athletic Bilbao match on Sunday.
Zidane left Real Madrid in 2018, shortly after winning his third consecutive Champions League title, and returned to his position after only 10 months. He also left the club as a player in 2006 after retiring from football.
Real Madrid meet Villarreal at home on 23 May, in their last game of the season.