Zidane to leave Madrid at the end of the season with Carlo Ancelotti poised to replace him

Zinedine Zidane has told his Real Madrid squad that he will walk away from the club at the end of the 2020-21 season.

The Frenchman revealed his decision in the dressing room prior to last Sunday's 2-2 draw away to Sevilla in La Liga. 

It is the second time he has resigned from the post, having previously quit following Madrid's third consecutive Champions League triumph in 2018. 

Sources close to Zidane say he won’t make a final decision on his future until after Real’s final La Liga game against Villarreal on May 23.

The coach's physical and mental fatigue have been mentioned as possible reasons for his stepping down, after he was drafted back into the hotseat in urgent circumstances towards the end of the 2018-19 campaign when both Julen Lopetegui and Santiago Solari failed to match his results at the Madrid helm. 

Zidane's timing may nevertheless also stoke up rumours linking the Frenchman to a sensational return to Turin. 

A favourite at Juventus as a player, Zidane would be a dream candidate for the club should they dispense with Andrea Pirlo, although it is doubtful whether he would be prepared to jump back into coaching so soon after leaving the Spanish capital. 

Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti is among those being considered by Real Madrid president Florentino Perez should head coach Zinedine Zidane walk away.

Former striker Raul is the most likely candidate to succeed Zidane after enjoying success with the youth team.

But Ancelotti, who led Real to Champions League glory in 2014, is still admired in the corridors of power at the club and Max Allegri is under consideration as well.