Zidane quits as Real Madrid coach after 3rd Champions League

MADRID » At least as a coach, Zinedine Zidane is going out on top.

After ending his playing career by headbutting an opponent in the 2006 World Cup final, Zidane is closing out his stint with Real Madrid with the fresh image of him lifting the Champions League trophy.

Zidane made the surprise announcement that he was leaving Madrid on Thursday, less than a week after leading the team to its third straight Champions League title.

“You have to know when to quit,” said the 45-year-old Zidane, who was Madrid’s coach for two and half seasons. “This is the right moment. I am a winner and if I don’t see it clearly that we will keep winning, it’s time for a change.”

It was an unexpected move by the former great who won nine titles as Madrid coach, including the three Champions League titles, one Spanish league title, one Spanish Super Cup, two UEFA Super Cups and two Club World Cups.

“This club needs a change to keep winning,” Zidane said. “With me it would have been complicated to keep winning.”

Zidane also thrived as a player. He helped France win the 1998 World Cup, but his career ended after the 2006 World Cup final, when he was sent off in disgrace for headbutting Italy defender Marco Materazzi.

His decision to quit as Madrid coach suddenly left the Spanish club’s future in limbo.

Cristiano Ronaldo hinted after the Champion League final he may leave as well, and Gareth Bale, unhappy with his lack of playing time, could be on his way back to the Premier League.

“It was a completely unexpected decision,” Madrid president Florentino Perez said of Zidane’s departure. “Today is a sad day for me, for the fans and for all the people who work at the club. I wish we could always have Zidane by our side, but we know that when Zizou makes a decision, the only thing we can do is to accept it and respect it.”