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Zinedine Zidane announced his resignation from his post as Real Madrid manager earlier today, just five days after winning the UEFA Champions League for a third consecutive time. In addition to the Champions League, Zidane has also led Real Madrid to one La Liga title, two FIFA Club World Cup titles, two UEFA Super Cups and one Supercopa de Espana. Very impressive from 'Zizou' who turned out to be as good a manager as he was a player.
He also achieved what very few had in recent years at the club; to keep the locker room happy and egos in check. A likeable and respected manager, Zidane will be missed in the dressing room and there may certainly be a few players who could be affected by his resignation and follow him out of the door.
On that note, here is a look at 5 such Real Madrid stars:
#5 Keylor Navas
Real Madrid is a team of superstars and their ability to attract 'big' names makes it somewhat baffling that they don't have a goalkeeper in their ranks mentioned among the world's best.
Zidane, however, has kept the faith in Keylor Navas and his performances have continued to improve as a result. The Costa Rican even put in a man-of-the-match performance in the UEFA Champions League second leg tie against Bayern Munich.
A new manager could, however, use the vast resources at his disposal to try and sign a 'big- name' keeper with AS Roma's Allison already reportedly being linked. Maybe even one more push for long-term target David de Gea, leading Navas through the exit door.
#4 Mateo Kovacic
Chances have been difficult to come by for Kovacic as you would expect for a player competing for a position with the likes of Toni Kroos and Luka Modric. Kovacic may have been biding his time waiting for Modric to start to tire but his 32-year-old teammate seems to be ageing like fine wine.
Kovacic has, however, found himself as a prominent piece of Zidane's rotation policy making 8 appearances in this season's UEFA Champions League. A change of manager could hamper the progress he has made this season as he was just starting to gain the trust of Zidane.
New managers like to bring in some new faces and this means Kovacic could find himself falling further down the pecking order.
#3 Marco Asensio
Zinedine Zidane has overseen the growth and progress of Marco Asensio at Real Madrid from youngster with potential to an absolute star. The 22-year-old Spanish international has enjoyed a successful season leading to a call-up to the 2018 World Cup squad.
Asensio has seen a consistent increase in playing time under Zidane who has monitored his progress brilliantly even in a team full of established superstars.
The faith shown in him by Zidane has led to Real Madrid rejecting a number of approaches for the young star. The resignation of the French tactician, however, will test the club's resolve to retain and continue developing Asensio. Real Madrid may move back to their Galacticos policy which could see Asensio's place in the team tumble into jeopardy.
#2 Isco
Isco has enjoyed arguably his best spell at Real under the Zinedine Zidane. The Frenchman often preferred Isco in the starting lineup ahead of Welsh superstar Gareth Bale, especially in the big matches.
While Isco has often delivered when called upon, his inclusion ahead of Bale has not gone down well with some observers. Towards the end of this season when Bale was starting to find form, scoring four times in their final four league matches, many expected him to start in the Champions League final against Liverpool.
Isco got the nod instead, though it did not help the Spaniard's case that Bale put in a man-of-the-match performance after coming on to replace him as a substitute scoring two brilliant goals.
It is unlikely a new manager will make the same decision of selecting Isco ahead of Bale after that performance. Isco may, therefore, need to move to a different club, with English giants like Manchester City, Chelsea, and Liverpool, all rumoured to be interested.
#1 Cristiano Ronaldo
As one who loves to be in the spotlight, Cristiano Ronaldo may upstage Zidane's resignation by leaving the club himself. Ronaldo has continuously hinted at leaving Real Madrid and with the departure of Zidane he may feel the time is right.
Zidane found a way of keeping Ronaldo's ego in check, despite resting him for a few matches in order to preserve him for the more critical matches of the season. Zidane also spoke to the media in glowing terms about Ronaldo, heaping praise upon the Portuguese superstar even in parts of the season when he was struggling.
Ronaldo has excelled under the guidance of the Frenchman, claiming successive Ballon d'Or awards. Zidane's departure now leaves Real in a tricky situation, needing to start over under a new face at the helm, and Ronaldo may not stay long enough to see what the future holds.
