French football icon Zinedine Zidane has revealed that constant, speculative reports regarding his imminent sacking following poor results were the primary source of frustration that led to his 2021 resignation from his post as Real Madrid manager.
The legendary coach, who secured three consecutive UEFA Champions League titles during his first spell with the club, lamented the corrosive effect of the constant media leaks and speculation on the team’s morale.
In a recently surfaced open letter detailing his reasons for stepping down, Zidane highlighted the specific nature of the toxic atmosphere created by the recurring reports.
“What hurt me more than anything, is when I read the news after any bad result, and it said that I would be fired if I didn’t win the next game,” he wrote.
He claimed these reports were often the result of “intentionally leaked messages” which created a “negative vibe around the entire squad, created doubts and misunderstandings.”
Despite the turmoil, Zidane was quick to praise the unwavering support of the players during his second tenure at the Santiago Bernabéu. He credited the squad’s loyalty and performance under pressure for saving his job during several challenging periods.
“I had wonderful players with me who supported me to death, and whenever things got ugly, they saved me with incredible wins,” he stated, emphasizing the mutual respect and belief within the dressing room. “Because they believed in me, and they knew I believed in them.”
Zidane resigned from his managerial position in May 2021, ending a second two-and-a-half-year spell with the club.
