Zidane reveals ‘toxic’ leaks, job pressure forced 2021 Real Madrid exit
Abdullateef Fowewe
Zinedine Zidane, the legendary former Real Madrid manager, has candidly detailed the “painful” factors behind his abrupt resignation in 2021, pointing to relentless job security speculation and deliberate media leaks that poisoned the club’s atmosphere.
In a poignant open letter, Zidane described how constant rumours of his impending sacking eroded team morale and made the high-stakes role untenable.
“What hurt me more than anything is when I read the news after any bad result, and it said that I would be fired if I didn’t win the next game,” he wrote.
He accused insiders of intentionally fueling these stories, adding, “I hated it, and the whole team hated it, because these messages created a negative vibe around the squad, causing doubts and misunderstandings.”
Despite the turmoil, Zidane lauded his players’ unwavering support, calling them “wonderful players” who “saved me with incredible wins” whenever pressure mounted.
“Because they believed in me, and they knew I believed in them,” he reflected, highlighting their resilience amid the chaos.
