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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.
Zidane dodges a question about his happiness:
"I'm not tired of coaching. After three years of coaching. But I think this is the right moment for me to change."
Zidane:
"It's not as simple as just staying. I think it would be difficult to keep winning if I stayed."
Zidane asked about best/worst memories:
"The best memory was being able to play for this club. It is the dream of many players to play even one day for Real Madrid. The most beautiful moment was when the president brought me to play for this great club.
"If there's one as a coach, it was winning La Liga. For me that was the top. This year the worst was losing the game against Leganés in the second leg of the Copa del Rey. I won't use the word but you know it."
Zidane:
"It's not a beautiful day because it's a complicated thing. I say that I'm not staying but it's not a sad day for me, it's a 'hasta pronto' a 'see you soon' not a goodbye.
"This relationship isn't going to change, not for anything."
Zidane asked about being tired out by the job:
"The job of coach has difficult parts! I have shared the transfers and telling players bad news with the president.
"It's a decision for the good of everyone. For me first, but for the squad too. The change is necessary to keep winning, I believe. There's nothing more than that."
Zidane:
"The players have nothing to do with my decision.
"It's difficult to keep going with things the same, winning three Champions Leagues. I am a winner, I like winning and hate losing. If I have the feeling that I'm not going to win, I'm going to make a change.
"If I don't feel good because I'm not winning, I'll walk out. That's why I took this decision."
Zidane continues:
"When I took the decision that was it. There was no backward step. Nothing is going to change in my relationship with the president, I know what he thinks and that is that."
Zidane's final answer (we think) - would you have quit if you'd lost to Liverpool:
"I don't know.
"Maybe. Maybe."
Well that was just fascinating.
Zinedine Zidane resigns as manager of Real Madrid:
- He thinks a change is needed for the club to continue winning
- He isn't looking for another job
- He strongly hinted he will one day return to the Bernabeu
- He told the team by text message
- Florentino Perez would not comment on the club's next steps.
An incredible day.
So Florentino wouldn't say anything about his plans - and, if we're honest, he looked a bit miffed.
But here are the names best-placed to step into some big old shoes
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