Zidane brings an end to his successful reign at Real

European champions Real Madrid are looking for a new head coach after Zinedine Zidane called time on his short, but immensely successful reign at the Bernabeu.

On Saturday Zidane, the 45-year-old Frenchman, led Real to their fourth Champions League trophy in five years – and third under his management – by masterminding victory over Liverpool in Kiev.

However, a disappointing LaLiga campaign which saw Real struggle to finish third, 17 points behind their titlewinning foes Barcelona, was plagued by speculation about Zidane’s long-term future.

Real president Florentino Perez said he had only heard of Zidane’s decision to quit late on Wednesday. At a hastily convened press conference less than 24 hours later, Zidane revealed he was stepping down.

He said: “I’ve made the decision not to continue next year as Real Madrid’s head coach.

“I spoke with (Perez) to see what he thought and I think it’s the right time for everyone: for me, the staff and the club... It’s strange for me, but it’s important that I do this for everybody.

“What I do think is that this team must keep winning and to do that they need a change. I believe that after three years they need a new voice, another methodology, and that is why I’ve made this decision.”

Perez, who sat alongside Zidane, said: “This was a totally unexpected decision, Zidane informed me of his choice. I thank him for the work he has done.”

Zidane added: “I love this club very much and also the president, who gave me the opportunity to come and play in Madrid, at this great club, and I will be grateful for the rest of my life. But today we had to make a change.”

The former Real and Juventus midfielder was understood to be under contract in Madrid until 2020.

Stepping up from managing the ‘Castilla’ B team, he replaced Rafa Benitez in January 2016 and although Real were runners-up to Barcelona at the end of that league campaign, he toasted European glory as city rivals Atletico Madrid were vanquished after penalties in Milan.

Zidane followed up his maiden Champions League crown with a LaLiga title and in June 2017 his side won the European Cup 4-1 against Juventus.