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Zinedine Zidane has called for an impromptu press conference at Real Madrid’s Valdebebas training ground – and you can follow live updates and the latest breaking news with The Independent’s live blog.
The 45-year-old has won three Champions League trophies since taking over from Rafael Benitez in January 2016 as well as a league title in 2016/17. It has been a historically successful stint in charge of the Bernabeu club for the rookie coach, becoming the first manager in Champions League history to defend the trophy, in Cardiff last June, before adding a third consecutive win in Kiev last Saturday night.
Sources at Real Madrid have been kept in the dark over the reason for any press conference but suggested that a press conference for a new contract would likely have taken place in the presidential suite at the Santiago Bernabeu. Club employees are usually made aware of new contracts so that they can prepare content for social media and the website.
Zidane was locked in a meeting with club president Florentino Perez on Thursday morning, sources close to the club told The Independent. Follow all of the latest below.
Please allow a moment for the live blog to load.
Real Madrid head coach Zinedine Zidane has announced that he will hold a press conference as 12.00 GMT, dramatically increasing speculation over his future.
Follow latest developments from Spain with Ed Malyon.
Here's some background on the situation.
Zidane is one of the most successful managers in the history of Real, who are of course one of the most successful clubs in the history of world football. But few would be surprised if he, as expected, announced his departure this afternoon:
It's remarkable how Zidane's managerial nous is still questioned by some, despite the extraordinary level of success he has achieved in a relatively short amount of time in charge of the club.
Our very own Jonathan Liew was in Germany to watch Madrid take on Bayern Munich, and was more than impressed with Zizou's managerial chops:
What could this surprise press conference mean for the future of Gareth Bale?
The Welshman, who has been linked with summer transfers to both Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, was expected to leave Real this summer because of his poor relationship with the Frenchman. But would a Zidane departure see him welcomed back into the fold?
BREAKING: Incredible scenes as Cadena Ser, a leading Spanish radio station, claim Zidane is indeed resigning....
Another reputable reporters, Jose Luis Sanchez of Radio Marca, says Zidane is leaving Real Madrid.
More as we get it...
So that's it then, Zinedine Zidane resigns as Real Madrid manager after a barely believable stint of success.
Talk will immediately turn to who is going to replace the Frenchman but first let's get this press conference out of the way, which begins in six minutes.
Consensus now among the Spanish media in Madrid that regularly cover Zidane - he is leaving.
His words shortly....
Our Chief Sports Writer, Jonathan Liew, was in Munich to watch Real Madrid overcome Bayern Munich in the Champions League semi-finals - as he was in Kiev to see them beat Liverpool.
Here is what he wrote about Zidane after the Bayern tie, a manager who is far more than people think he is...
A silence has fallen over Valdebebas and the cameras are trained on one door.
Zidane is imminent.
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