Zinedine Zidane steps down as Real coach in a surprise conference.

Zinedine Zidane steps down as Real Madrid Coach after winning the third champions league. The Frenchman has announced he's stepping as the manager of Real Madrid in a surprise press conference earlier today just 5 days after Zidane steer the club to a third straight Champions League title.





Zidane in the press conference said that "everything changes" and "that's why I took this decision".





Zidane's shock announcement was made at a hastily arranged press conference on Thursday lunchtime, with the French Legend confirming his intention to step aside from his role in an announcement few predicted.





"After three years, the players need a new voice and that is why it is time to change," stated Zidane at a press conference.





"I love this club," he added.





"What I think is that this team needs to continue winning but I think it needs a change, a different voice, another methodology."





Zidane, 45, took over from Rafa Benitez in January 2016 and despite boasting no previous senior managerial experience, has masterminded Real Madrid's dominance of the Champions League. He was in charge for 149 games at Real Madrid where he guided the team to 104 wins and 29 draws, with a 69.8% win rate, and won nine trophies.





He said in February that he would walk away if he felt "there is nothing more to give".





However, the timing of his announcement still came as a shock just days after Real beat Liverpool 3-1 in the Champions League final.





This is a club that has won 13 European Cups, so I'm happy to be part of this history," he said after the victory in Kiev.





"We are going to think about what we achieved, enjoy the moment first. This is the most important thing now."





Real president on Zidane's shocking announcement: "This was a totally unexpected decision, Zidane informed me of his choice yesterday. I thank him for the work he has done."



