Zinedine Zidane has a contract at Real Madrid until 2022. Reuters
Zinedine Zidane has a contract at Real Madrid until 2022. Reuters
Zinedine Zidane has a contract at Real Madrid until 2022. Reuters
Zinedine Zidane has a contract at Real Madrid until 2022. Reuters

Zinedine Zidane reported to be leaving Real Madrid at end of season


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Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane will leave Real Madrid at the end of the season, it was reported on Saturday.

The Frenchman gave his players the news in the changing room prior to their 2-2 draw away at Sevilla last week, Goal.com claims.

There is currently no official statement either from the club or manager but the source is credible and the signs point to the Bernabeu exit doors.

Earlier on Saturday Zidane hinted as much saying "there comes a time when it's the moment to change".

His contract expires in 2022 but he has repeatedly refused to confirm he will still be at the club next season.

Zidane has a history of surprises after resigning as coach unexpectedly in 2018 before making a shock return a year later.

As a player he initially announced his retirement from international football in 2004 before coming back for the 2006 World Cup, after which he retired for good.

"You talk about me leaving in 2006 and 2018 and it's like you think I leave because I'm shirking responsibility or that I quit when things get tough," said Zidane in a press conference.

"It's not, the only thing about me is that what I do, I do to the end, and then there comes a time when it's the moment to change. For everyone, not just for me. For the club, for the good of the club, for the people.

I can only say the same thing. I don't know what will happen

"I don't leave because it's easy. It's not like I turn away and don't look back. No, there are moments when you have to be there and there are moments when that's it, it's finished, it's time to change. But for the good of everyone, not just for me."

Zidane spoke warmly about his players, describing his relationship with them as one of "total respect" while adding their time together is "something that will be there forever".

When it was put to him that it felt like he was saying goodbye, Zidane said: "I can only say the same thing. I don't know what will happen. I'm here now, yes, and tomorrow we are going to play. Then we will have one match left.

"The rest, I don't know what will happen. This is Real Madrid. I don't know if it's a strength but I am always about the day to day. It's always been like this."

Real Madrid play away at Athletic Bilbao on Sunday, knowing anything but a victory at San Mames will mean Atletico Madrid win the title if they beat Osasuna at the Wanda Metropolitano.

They sit two points behind Atletico Madrid in La Liga, with two games left to play.

Real Madrid thrash Granada - in pictures

  • Real Madrid's Luka Modric celebrates scoring their first goal against Granada on Thursday. Reuters
    Real Madrid's Luka Modric celebrates scoring their first goal against Granada on Thursday. Reuters
  • Granada's Luis Suarez reacts after missing a chance against Real Madrid at Los Carmenes stadium on Thursday. AP
    Granada's Luis Suarez reacts after missing a chance against Real Madrid at Los Carmenes stadium on Thursday. AP
  • Real Madrid's Karim Benzema celebrates after scoring his side's fourth goal against Granada at Los Carmenes stadium. AP
    Real Madrid's Karim Benzema celebrates after scoring his side's fourth goal against Granada at Los Carmenes stadium. AP
  • Real Madrid's striker Karim Benzema scores the fourth goal against Granada. EPA
    Real Madrid's striker Karim Benzema scores the fourth goal against Granada. EPA
  • Real Madrid's striker Karim Benzema celebrates scoring on Thursday. EPA
    Real Madrid's striker Karim Benzema celebrates scoring on Thursday. EPA
  • Real Madrid's Alvaro Odriozola scores their third goal against Granada. Reuters
    Real Madrid's Alvaro Odriozola scores their third goal against Granada. Reuters
  • Real Madrid's Rodrygo celebrates scoring their second goal. Reuters
    Real Madrid's Rodrygo celebrates scoring their second goal. Reuters
  • Real Madrid's head coach Zinedine Zidane at Los Carmenes stadium. EPA
    Real Madrid's head coach Zinedine Zidane at Los Carmenes stadium. EPA
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Profile of Tarabut Gateway

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Backers: Berlin-based venture capital company Target Global, Kingsway, CE Ventures, Entrée Capital, Zamil Investment Group, Global Ventures, Almoayed Technologies and Mad’a Investment.

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Libya's Gold

UN Panel of Experts found regime secretly sold a fifth of the country's gold reserves. 

The panel’s 2017 report followed a trail to West Africa where large sums of cash and gold were hidden by Abdullah Al Senussi, Qaddafi’s former intelligence chief, in 2011.

Cases filled with cash that was said to amount to $560m in 100 dollar notes, that was kept by a group of Libyans in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

A second stash was said to have been held in Accra, Ghana, inside boxes at the local offices of an international human rights organisation based in France.