Zidane leaving Madrid at the end of the season

While Atletico Madrid, current La Liga leader (and a probable champion), kept the same manager, Diego Simeone in charge for the last 10 years, both Barcelona and Real Madrid have changed six coaches each during the same period. And it seems very likely that they will be on a lookout for the seventh one come June.

And while Barcelona are in fact trying to find a replacement and then sack Ronald Koeman, his colleague from Real Madrid, Zinedine Zidane will leave on his own at the end of the season. The famous French manager will do so with or without La Liga title, claims respectable Daily Mail.

Zidane preparing for a ‘smooth divorce’ with Real Madrid as Juventus call him to return

Popular Zizou has guided Real to two La Liga and three consecutive Champions League titles (during his two stints with the club) before suddenly quitting, stating that he couldn’t keep the team winning next season, and that the team needs a "new discourse". After coming back in 2019, it seems that the Frenchmen is about to leave again.

Zidane has sensed for some time that he no longer has the backing of Perez and even a third league title, one that will make him the first coach to retain the league for Madrid since Leo Beenhakker in 1989, is unlikely to change his mind. The young players are now the only thing that could keep Zidane at Madrid, but the Frenchmen thinks that there is no will in boardroom to convince him to stay. When asked by the press before the Granada game about his future, Zizou replied that he only thinks about the next three games, and nothing else.

Real, VAR and failed attempt to move into the top spot

If he leaves, which is almost certain, Zidane will become the immediate candidate for the Juventus post, since Andrea Pirlo will also leave the Old Lady, due to bad results. That would leave Real President Florentino Perez with three possible options: Raul, Massimiliano Allegri or a surprise choice.

Raul would certainly be a fan’s choice. He is a Real icon and knows the club inside out, and is currently club’s youth team coach. But, his inexperience is obvious. Massimiliano Allegri is every media’s favorite candidate. Whenever a coach gets sacked somewhere in Europe, Allegri is the first one who ends up in the media articles, just in case. And, Perez could also surprise everyone and appoint a completely different name to lead the club in the future. For all that to happen, Zidane has to officially resigns first.

Despite his decision to leave (or stay, if he has a change of hart come June), Zidane still has the overwhelming support in the dressing room, and the recent „incident“ with Marcelo has not changed that. The Brazilian left back has been axed from Real Madrid's squad following an argument with Zidane over his tactics and team selections, according to a report in Spain. With first choice Mendy out with injury, the French coach will start 19-year-old Miguel Gutierrez on the left.

 LA LIGA - ROUND 36

Tuesday

Osasuna - Cadiz 3-2 (1-0)

/Budimir 38', 75', Torres 86' pen - Saponjic 49' pen, Perea 90+1'/

Elche - Alavés 0-2 (0-1)

/Joselu 40', Rioja 54'/

Levante - Barcelona 3-3 (0-2)

/Melero 57', Morales 59', Leon 83' - Messi 25', Pedri 34', Dembele 64'/

Wednesday

Sevilla - Valencia 1-0 (0-0)

/En-Nesyri 66/

Celta Vigo - Getafe 1-0 (1-0)

/Nolito 24/

Huesca - Athletic Bilbao 1-0 (0-0)

/Ramirez 61/

Atlético Madrid - Real Sociedad 2-1 (2-0)

/Carrasco 16, Correa 28 - Zubeldia 83/

Thursday

20:00 Real Valladolid - Villarreal

21:00 Eibar - Real Betis

23:00 Granada - Real Madrid