Zidane quits as Real Madrid coach after Champs League treble

The surprise announcement comes less than a week after Zidane led Madrid to its third straight Champions League title.

Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane during the match UEFA Champions League Final between Real Madrid and Liverpool at NSC Olympic Stadium on May 26 2018. [Photo: IC]

Zidane said Thursday he felt it was the right moment — for him and for the club — to make a change.

Zidane won nine titles as Madrid's coach, including the three Champions Leagues, one Spanish League, one Spanish Super Cup, two UEFA Super Cups and two Club World Cups.

The 45-year-old Zidane was hired in January 2016 for what was his first major head-coaching job. The former star player arrived surrounded by doubts because of his lack of coaching experience but quickly surpassed expectations.