Real Madrid: Why Zinedine Zidane stepping down as manager makes sense

Zinedine Zidane will forever be remembered in the world football community for his incredible goal in the 2002 Champions League Final, headbutting Marco Materazzi during the World Cup in 2006, and his astonishingly successful stint as Real Madrid manager. While many fans may be sad to hear the news of his departure, here is why this move makes sense for Zizou and the club.

Nine trophies in just 29 months are unheard of. Three straight Champions League titles are even more incredible because only one other club – Bayern Munich – has done it in European Cup history (this is the second time Real Madrid has won three straight in club history).

No single manager in the history of the cup has won three titles in a row. That makes it even more incredible what the player turned coach did in his short tenure as the Real boss. Although Madridistas will likely have wanted the Frenchman to stay in charge for a few more years and hit double-digit trophies, this move makes sense.

Zinedine is a professional in this field and is very smart for making this tough decision. I am sure it was anything but easy for this man who is adored by fans worldwide to step down, but he has an eye on the future and in the long-run, this will help Los Blancos.

In his press conference this afternoon, Zizou voiced how it is time for him to move aside and let a new manager with different tactics and ideas step in. Yes, it is hard to admit it, but he is right. Success in this sport is often short-lived as other teams, managers, and clubs change every year as they pursue trophies.

I think after all the celebrations over the weekend, Zidane took a step back and realized that he can go out on top of the world as one of the best managers in the history of the sport. Winning this many trophies every season for three, four, or five more years is unrealistic.

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Zidane definitely realized it.

Despite all the trophies and all the success, it is clear the constant pressure and anxiety that plagued Zizou in his time at manager was starting to affect him. Especially in the last five months.

When you step down after winning four trophies in a season, it overshadows the disappointments of the season.

Yes, the title defense was poor and the Copa Del Rey run was cut far too short, but most fans won’t remember those shortcomings. They will remember the good and record-breaking moments.

I have covered Zidane’s press conferences for nearly a year now and I am truly sad to see him depart. His humility, openness with the media despite criticism, and his dedication to the crest and the club cannot be matched.

This is a perfect end to a fairy tale playing and coaching career for this man. I will forever have nothing but respect for everything he has done for Real Madrid. He has nothing left to prove on the club level. He won basically everything a player and manager can win.

Next: Zinedine Zidane steps down as Real Madrid manager

Now, he will take a step back, take some time off from the game, and likely push for the French national team manager position. In closing, I have to again thank Zinedine Zidane for an incredible 29 months and making my job as a writer for The Real Champs so easy over the last two years.

Legends never die and Zizou’s lengendary managerial career will never be forgotten.

Stay tuned to The Real Champs for more coverage on the Zidane news.

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