Zinedina Zidane left Real Madrid after disagreeing with Florentino Perez about transfer plans, according to reports.
A story in The Sun claims that the night before his resignation, he fell out with Real president Florentino Perez about the summer’s targets.
Eden Hazard, the Chelsea playmaker, was one source of disagreement. Zidane wanted to sign the Belgian international while Perez was not interested.
There was further conflict over Manchester United’s David de Gea, a player Perez wants. Zidane was reportedly content with Keylor Navas.
Spain’s goalkeepers David de Gea attends a training session of Spain’s football national team at the Spanish Football Federation’s ‘Ciudad del Futbol’ in Las Rozas, near Madrid on May 29, 2018
Spain’s goalkeepers David de Gea attends a training session of Spain’s football national team at the Spanish Football Federation’s ‘Ciudad del Futbol’ in Las Rozas, near Madrid on May 29, 2018Getty Images
According to the story, Zidane then told Perez: “I am done. You take care of the team.”
If true, Chelsea will be pleased to avoid a summer of speculation over the future of their most important player.
Manchester United will be keen to tie down their goalkeeper’s future as soon as possible, especially before he goes to the World Cup with Real Madrid’s Spanish players.
Zidane is now in the running for the Chelsea job, with Antonio Conte set to depart, though Laurent Blanc is the favoured candidate.