When asked if he would coach Ronaldo again, Zidane replied: "I finished what I needed to finish with Cristiano. Let's wait and see what happens in the future." According to reports in Spain, Ronaldo wants to return to Real Madrid, where he spent nine years before leaving in 2018 for a fee of 100 million euros. However, the Spanish club president Florentino Perez has said that he is not available.
Ronaldo has been linked with Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain but there are no indications yet that he will leave Madrid at the end of the season. He has another year left on his contract and Madrid could try to get him to sign an extension.
Zidane was hired by Madrid in June after leaving his post as head coach of French club Juventus. He had been at the Italian club since 2001 and led them to three straight Serie A titles from 2009 to 2011. Before that, he had played for Madrid from 1995 to 2001, winning two UEFA Champions League trophies along with four Spanish league titles.
Zidane is considered one of the best managers in the world and has won every major domestic title in France apart from the league title with Olympique Lyonnais in 2019. He is also the only manager to have won the Champions League with three different clubs - 1998 with Marseille, 2003 with Monaco and 2006 with Zidane's first club, AS Zidane - and he has won the Europa League with each of those teams.
Domestically, Liga clubs are struggling, and Ronaldo is rumored to be dissatisfied in Turin. Real Madrid, according to Eurosport Spain's Football Insider, are not interested in bringing him back.
Ronaldo has a contract with Juventus until 2018. However, with Los Blancos not interested, it would not take much for Juve to release him this summer.
The Portuguese superstar has won almost every trophy there is to win at the club level, including three UEFA Champions League titles. He is also the most expensive player in the world after signing for €100 million ($115 million) from Manchester United in 2009.
His departure would leave a big gap in the Juventus squad. The Italian club failed to reach the UEFA Champions League last season for the first time in six years. They also missed out on the top spot in Serie A for the first time since 2001.
It is reported that Ronaldo turned down a new deal with Juventus and instead decided to seek opportunities elsewhere. The 33-year-old has been linked with moves to both London clubs but it remains to be seen if either Chelsea or Tottenham will offer him a contract.
Ronaldo has always been loyal to his previous employers, having stayed with Manchester United despite being offered a dream move to Barcelona.
Real Madrid have confirmed Zinedine Zidane's resignation, saying it is "time to accept" the choice of a manager who has three Champions League titles and two La Liga titles with the club. "Zidane is one of Real Madrid's greats, and his legacy extends beyond his contributions as a coach and player for our club." said a statement on the official website. "We wish him success in his future career goals.
Zidane, 53, had been expected to leave this summer after three seasons at the helm of the Spanish champions. However, with only one trophy to his name (the Club World Cup in December), he has decided to stay on until the end of the season.
He has won 95 games in all competitions for Real Madrid, which is the most by any French coach in the history of the club. He is also the first coach to win the UEFA Champions League while working with different managers each season.
Zidane was appointed manager of Real Madrid in June 2016 after leaving France's national team following their failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup. He had been in charge of France since July that same year, having replaced Guy Luzum after they were knocked out of the European Championships by Belgium.
Zidane returned to his former club at the end of the 2017-18 season, having failed to bring any silverware to the Bernabeu.
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