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ZINEDINE ZIDANE’s decision to leave Real Madrid may have been motivated by the expected summer overhaul of the Los Blancos squad and not just the Frenchman’s mental fatigue.

That’s according to ESPN FC’s Gabriele Marcotti - who suggested there could be underlying reasons at play for Zidane’s departure.
Just five days after leading the Spanish giants to their third successive Champions League triumph, beating Liverpool 3-1 in Kiev, Zidane stepped down from his Bernabeu role yesterday.
The 45-year-old won nine trophies in less than three full seasons at the helm but cited the need for “a different voice” and “another methodology” in a press conference announcing his exit yesterday.


Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale’s futures are both uncertain, as is Karim Benzema's, with Madrid having been linked with a host of high-profile summer moves including Neymar, Mohamed Salah, Harry Kane and Eden Hazard to freshen up their attack.
And Marcotti believes that Zidane may have wanted to avoid having to guide the European champions through such a transition.
There was talk already this year of bringing in new players, refreshing the team, and maybe Zidane didn’t want to be a part of that transition.
Gabriele Marcotti

He told ESPN: “When you look at the make-up of this Real Madrid squad and the number of veterans, coming up to 27, 28, 29 or older in some cases and are tied into long-term contracts, 2021 like Cristiano, 2022 Gareth Bale and many others - you do wonder if maybe that played a part. 
“They could probably come back and win it again next year but at some point, this time will probably need to be blown up to some degree. 
“There was talk already this year of bringing in new players, refreshing the team, and maybe Zidane didn’t want to be a part of that transition. 
That’s just a gut feeling on my part. I don’t think that that really played into it so much. 
“I think it was more simply the fact that Zidane is tired and is worn out from the day-to-day grind of the job just as Pep Guardiola was after his four seasons in Barcelona.”
Tottenham tactician Mauricio Pochettino is thought to be Real Madrid’s first choice successor to Zidane with a host of names from across Europe likely to be linked to the hot seat.
And Marcotti says no matter who is appointed they will find it difficult to replace Zidane.



“I don’t know if looking after Real Madrid is the most difficult job in football but it’s certainly unlike any others,” he added. 
“The Bernabeu is a place where you can be 5-0 up and get booed because you’re not playing well. I don’t think there’s another club in the world who’s fans inside the stadium are so demanding in terms of style and execution. 

“It definitely takes a certain type of character to be able to do that there. Man management is a big part of it but you also need a certain gravitas and certain status.

“Obviously Zidane had that when he took over the job. It’s going to be a really tough act for anyone to follow.”
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ZINEDINE ZIDANE’s decision to leave Real Madrid may have been motivated by the expected summer overhaul of the Los Blancos squad and not just the Frenchman’s mental fatigue.

That’s according to ESPN FC’s Gabriele Marcotti - who suggested there could be underlying reasons at play for Zidane’s departure.
Just five days after leading the Spanish giants to their third successive Champions League triumph, beating Liverpool 3-1 in Kiev, Zidane stepped down from his Bernabeu role yesterday.
The 45-year-old won nine trophies in less than three full seasons at the helm but cited the need for “a different voice” and “another methodology” in a press conference announcing his exit yesterday.


Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale’s futures are both uncertain, as is Karim Benzema's, with Madrid having been linked with a host of high-profile summer moves including Neymar, Mohamed Salah, Harry Kane and Eden Hazard to freshen up their attack.
And Marcotti believes that Zidane may have wanted to avoid having to guide the European champions through such a transition.
There was talk already this year of bringing in new players, refreshing the team, and maybe Zidane didn’t want to be a part of that transition.
Gabriele Marcotti

He told ESPN: “When you look at the make-up of this Real Madrid squad and the number of veterans, coming up to 27, 28, 29 or older in some cases and are tied into long-term contracts, 2021 like Cristiano, 2022 Gareth Bale and many others - you do wonder if maybe that played a part. 
“They could probably come back and win it again next year but at some point, this time will probably need to be blown up to some degree. 
“There was talk already this year of bringing in new players, refreshing the team, and maybe Zidane didn’t want to be a part of that transition. 
That’s just a gut feeling on my part. I don’t think that that really played into it so much. 
“I think it was more simply the fact that Zidane is tired and is worn out from the day-to-day grind of the job just as Pep Guardiola was after his four seasons in Barcelona.”
Tottenham tactician Mauricio Pochettino is thought to be Real Madrid’s first choice successor to Zidane with a host of names from across Europe likely to be linked to the hot seat.
And Marcotti says no matter who is appointed they will find it difficult to replace Zidane.



“I don’t know if looking after Real Madrid is the most difficult job in football but it’s certainly unlike any others,” he added. 
“The Bernabeu is a place where you can be 5-0 up and get booed because you’re not playing well. I don’t think there’s another club in the world who’s fans inside the stadium are so demanding in terms of style and execution. 

“It definitely takes a certain type of character to be able to do that there. Man management is a big part of it but you also need a certain gravitas and certain status.

“Obviously Zidane had that when he took over the job. It’s going to be a really tough act for anyone to follow.”