Zinedine Zidane quits Real Madrid with Max Allegri leading race to replace him – reports

Zidane has told club directors and the first-team squad of his decision

Zinedine Zidane gestures from the touchline (Getty)

Zinedine Zidane has decided to step down as Real Madrid coach with immediate effect, Spanish media reported on Wednesday.

AS newspaper reported that the Frenchman has called time on his second spell in charge of the La Liga club, who he has led to two league titles and three Champions League victories since 2015.

Zidane has told club directors and the first-team squad of his decision, the reports said, which comes after his side narrowly lost out on the league title to city rivals Atletico Madrid on Saturday.

Real finished second in the standings, two points behind Atletico, and were knocked out of the Champions League at the semi-final stage and the Copa del Rey in the round of 32 to end the season without a trophy for the first time in 11 years.

The former Juventus manager Max Allegri is reported to be a leading contender for the vacancy, while Antonio Conte’s resignation from Inter Milan on Wednesday also brings him into the frame, after leading Inter to the Serie A title.

Reuters