Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane to quit after the end of the season: Reports

Spanish media was abuzz early Sunday with reports that Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has already told his players that he intends to quit his position at the end of the season.

The France and Los Blancos legend , who has a contract until 2022,  had informed his squad a week ago that he was going to leave when the season ends next week, according to reports from Onda Cero radio and Goal online .

“The coach informed his players last Saturday before facing Sevilla on Sunday at Valdebebas,” the report from the Goal added .

According to Onda Cero reporter Fernando Burgos, Zidane’s successor at the Santiago Bernabeu will be chosen from a list which includes former Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri, ex-player Raul Gonzalez and Joachim Loew who will step down as Germany coach at the end of this summer’s European Championships.

Also read: Atletico Madrid closing in and tensing up as La Liga title edges closer

Earlier Saturday, Zidane had dropped a hint about his departure, saying he believes “there comes a time when it’s the moment to change”.

“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,” AFP quoted Zidane as saying

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.”

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.