Zinedine Zidane Explains Decision For Real Madrid Exit

In an open letter to Real Madrid fans, Zinedine Zidane has explained his decision to leave the club after a disappointing campaign as the Frenchman didn’t feel he had the backing of the club.

Zidane oversaw a disappointing season at Real Madrid as Los Blancos after narrowly missing out on the La Liga title  to neighbours Atletico Madrid by two points, and failed to win any silverware elsewhere.

It is the first time in eleven years Real Madrid have ended a campaign without a trophy, but fans were shocked to learn Zidane had himself walked away from his post.

The Frenchman explained his decision in an open letter to fans, revealing a strained relationship with the club.

“I feel the club no longer has the faith in me I need, nor the support to build something in the medium or long term,” Zidane wrote. “I’m a natural-born winner and I was here to win trophies.”

“But even more important than this are the people, their feelings, life itself and I have the sensation these things have not been taken into account, that there has been a failure to understand that these things also keep the dynamics of a great club going.”

“I want there to be respect for what we have achieved together. I would have liked my relationship with the club and the president over the past few months to have been a little different to that of other coaches.”

“I wasn’t asking for privileges, of course not, just a little more recollection,” Zidane added. “These days the life of a coach in the dugout at a big club is two seasons, little more.”

“For it to last longer the human relationships are essential, they are more important than money, more important than fame, more important than everything. They need to be nurtured.”

• Read more: Zidane steps down as Real Madrid head Coach

Zidane also expressed concern over leaks to the press, with speculation about his future a constant story through a difficult season.

“It hurt me so much when I read in the press, after a defeat, that I would be sacked if I didn’t win the next game,” the Read Madrid legend stressed. “Luckily I had these amazing lads who were with me to the death. When things turned ugly they saved me with magnificent victories.”

“Because they believed in me and knew I believed in them. Of course I’m not the best coach in the world, but I’m able to give everyone, whether it’s a player, a member of the coaching staff or any employee, the strength and confidence they need in their job.”

“I know perfectly well what a team needs,” Zidane added.

While Zidane also said he was not finished with coaching, Real Madrid have been linked with a number of managers including Antonio Conte, Mauricio Pochettino, Raul Gonzales, and others.

Chidi Nwoke/Eurosport.