28 June 2020

‘I won’t coach for 20 years. I’ll retire before that’ - Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane insists managerial role ‘wears you out'

Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has revealed he does not plan to still be a manager in 20 years.

The 48-year-old left the Spanish giants after guiding them to three successive Champions League trophies between 2016 and 2018, before returning in March last year.

Zidane has already won three Champions Leagues as Madrid boss (SIPA USA/PA Images)

And while Zidane gave no hint how much longer he plans to be with Madrid in the short-term, he did confirm the job is taking its toll on him.

Speaking about how he sees his long-term managerial career, he said: "I won't coach for 20 years. I'll retire before that.

"I'm an unusual coach, anything could happen. I'm not planning anything. It's the day-to-day that excites me. For how long, I don't know.

"In my head I've always been a player. I played for 18 or 19 years, and after that when people asked me if I'd be a coach, I said no.

"Then I decided to become one. This really wears you out. It won't be 20 years, that's for sure."

Madrid currently sit second in La Liga, one point behind leader Barcelona with a game in hand.

Barca dropped two points on Saturday evening as Iago Aspas’ 88th minute strike held the Catalan side to a 2-2 draw against Celta Vigo.

Madrid are also still in the Champions League, but were beaten 2-1 at home in the first leg of their last 16 tie against Manchester City before the coronavirus pandemic suspended European competiton.

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