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What is the story?
Real Madrid manager, Zinedine Zidane, has indicated leaving Los Blancos if he can't pick his own team. Zidane addressed the goalkeeping issue at Madrid in his latest pre-match press conference and gave a crystal-clear message to the Real Madrid directors.
In case you didn’t know…
Zidane made a comeback to the managerial job at Madrid within 9 months of his resignation at the end of last season. However, his second coming as the Real Madrid boss has been a sad story so far, as he has failed to inspire Los Blancos to cut the huge points deficit between the club and Barca.
Despite being in the middle of a really hard time at Real Madrid, Zidane’s legacy as a Real Madrid manager can never be questioned. The Frenchman helped Madrid win three back to back Champions League titles, and became the first manager in history to achieve this phenomenal feat.
However, apart from their struggles on the pitch, Real Madrid is also embroiled in a goalkeeping selection saga. There have been reports from multiple sources that their Champions League hero, Keylor Navas, has been told that he can leave Madrid this summer as the club is planning to make Thibaut Courtois the first-choice goalkeeper, with Andrey Lunin to be his backup.
However, Zidane wants his 17-year-old son, Luca, to be Madrid’s second choice keeper for next season.
Some reports have also claimed that the club might have forced him to make a decision, especially in the goalkeeping position, which he doesn’t like.
The heart of the matter…
In Saturday’s pre-match press conference, when asked about the ongoing goalkeeping issue, Zidane made a bold statement. As quoted by MARCA:
“I will decide who will be the first and second choice goalkeepers," Zidane told the press. "It's my decision. It's as clear as water. If I can't do what I want with my team, I'll leave, that's for sure,”
"Then there are people who sign players and we do that together. But the starting 11, the bench, those that aren't in the squad, that's only for me to decide," he also added.
What’s next?
Real Madrid will face Real Betis next in their final LaLiga fixture on Sunday afternoon at the Santiago Bernabéu.
