Zinedine Zidane resigns as coach of Real Madrid

Zinedine Zidane has resigned as Real Madrid manager with immediate effect, according to media reports.  The Frenchman's reported departure comes at the end of a disappointing campaign for the 13-time European champions, who also lost to Chelsea in the Champions League semi-finals as they failed to win a trophy for the first time in 11 seasons. Real Madrid have confirmed that Zinedine Zidane has decided to step down as the club's manager, despite still having 12 months left to run on his contract.

The Liga giants said in a statement on their official website: "Real Madrid announces that Zinedine Zidane has decided to end his current spell as coach of our club."It is now time to respect his decision and show him our appreciation for his professionalism, dedication and passion in all these years, and for what he represents for Real Madrid."Zidane is one of the great heroes of Real Madrid and his legend goes beyond what he has been as a coach and player of our club. "He knows that he is at the heart of Real Madrid, and that Real Madrid is and will always be his home."The World Cup winner spent the final five years of his distinguished playing career in Madrid, retiring in 2006.  Zidane took 263 games in charge of Real, with 174 wins and just 36 defeats.