The managerial merry-go-round is in full swing, with some high-profile exits and appointments reportedly close to coming to fruition. One of those involves Zinedine Zidane, who has stepped down from his role at Real Madrid.
It was rather uncharacteristic of Los Blancos to finish the season without any trophies. However, with Atletico Madrid beating them to the league title and Chelsea knocking them out of the UEFA Champions League, they did achieve that grim feat. As it happened, it was the first time in eleven years that the Madrid-based club had ended the season without any silverware.
As if witnessing their rivals win trophies wasn’t bad enough, Real are also facing a potential UEFA ban due to their involvement in the Super League. UEFA has begun its proceedings against the three rebellious clubs that continue to stand by the failed project, namely Real, Barcelona, and Juventus.
Head Coach Zinedine Zidane has decided to resign from his role for the second time, the club has confirmed with a statement. Zidane previously managed Los Blancos from 2015-2018, during which time they won three successive UEFA Champions League titles.
“Real Madrid CF announces that Zinedine Zidane has decided to end his current stage as coach of our club.
“It is now time to respect his decision and show him our appreciation for his professionalism, dedication, and passion in all these years, and for what his figure represents for Real Madrid.”
the statement on the official website read.
Zidane returned to his former club in 2019 after the failed spells of Julen Lopetegui and Santiago Solari. He led them to the league title within the space of a year. However, after finishing the foregone season empty-handed, he has decided to step away from his role. Real’s win percentage was over 70 during his first spell at the club, while it dropped down ten per cent during his second. Nevertheless, he leaves – for the second time – as one of the most successful coaches in the club’s history.
Meanwhile, one man Real have been linked with several times over the last month – and years – is Massimiliano Allegri. The Italian has generated a moderate amount of interest in himself ever since leaving Juventus in 2019. However, it looks like Los Blancos’ wish to bring him on board won’t be fulfilled, with reports in Italy claiming that a shock return to Juventus is on the cards for the tactician.
Transfer gurus Gianluca Di Marzio and Fabrizio Romano have confirmed the validity of the reports. Allegri is expected to return to Juventus after a two-year-long break from football. He will replace rookie coach Andrea Pirlo in the dugout, who led Juventus to a fourth-place finish this season. The Bianconeri had previously won nine titles in a row with Allegri responsible for five of those. The Italian also won four Copa Italia titles, two Supercopa, and led Juventus to two Champions League finals.
As per Romano, Allegri reached a verbal agreement with his former club on May 27 and is expected to sign his contract in due course. Subsequently, Pirlo will be relieved from his duties as the senior team head coach, just one year into his coaching career.
Meanwhile, there was also movement in the Inter Milan dugout on the night of May 26, as Antonio Conte resigned from his role. Conte had led Inter to their first league title since 2010 earlier this year, with the Nerazzurri breaking Juventus’ long streak in the process. However, disagreements over the direction the club was heading in led to him stepping down from his role. Inter had been linked with Allegri since last night, along with Lazio’s Simone Inzaghi.
