Zidane quits as Real Madrid coach days after Champions League win

Zinedine Zidane on Thursday announced he is quitting Real Madrid after two and a half seasons with the Spanish club.

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

Zidane said 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.