Reports emerged over the last few days from Spain that Zinedine Zidane had told his squad of his intention of leaving at the end of the season. The decision was made after the defeat to Chelsea in the semi finals of the Champions League.
The Frenchman was asked about the issue in yesterday’s post-match press conference, following Real Madrid’s victory over Athletic Club Bilbao. Zidane remained focused on the task at hand, which is facing Villareal on the last matchday of the season:
“We are going to play our match and we are going to have a difficult match against Villarreal, so we have to concentrate on ourselves,”
“How am I going to tell my players that I am leaving now, when we are putting everything on the line?” he said.
“When you say things from the outside, you can say whatever you want. I am not ever going to say that to my players.
“At the end of the season we will see, but now I am in this and am focused on the last match.
“We cannot talk constantly about my future, the most important thing is the last match that we have to play.”
All things considered, Zidane has done a remarkable job of getting Madrid as far as they have in the title race this season. The squad has been constantly plagued by injuries, with notable absences of Sergio Ramos, Dani Carvajal, Raphael Varane and Ferland Mendy to name a few.
The title race will be decided on the final day of the season, May 23, and Atletico Madrid hold the advantage over their rivals.
