Topics: Real Madrid, UEFA Champions League, Zinedine Zidane
The French manager has raised the bar incredibly high for Real Madrid's next manager.

It was to be anticipated. Zinedine Zidane has resigned from his post as Real Madrid head coach. The surprise announcement was followed by an impromptu appearance before the press at 1:00 PM CET (7:00 AM ET) on Thursday, less than a week after guiding Los Blancos to victory in the UEFA Champions League final in Kiev. 

"This was a totally unexpected decision and today is a sad day for me and for everyone who works for this club," Real Madrid club president Florentino Perez was quoted as saying at the press conference.

"When he [Zinedine] says he's taken a decision, we have to accept it all the same. 

"I tried to convince him but I know how it is. He knows he has all our love and support."

Under Florentino Perez, Los Blancos have an unpopular record of firing managers. Even Carlo Ancelotti, who got them the much-awaited Decima, was sacked the following year after failing to match the wonders of the 2013/14 season. 

Fresh from claiming an unprecedented three UEFA Champions League titles in a row, Zizou -- as he is affectionately called -- thought it best to retire on a high. 

"I love this club and the president who gave me the chance to play for this club and manage the club of my dreams," the Santiago Bernabeu legend declared.

"But everything changes and that's why I've taken the decision to leave."

He added: 

"There are really beautiful moments, ending in a spectacular moment winning the third Champions League, but there are hard moments too. 

"I believe it's the right time [for me to leave]. I think the players need a change but I should thank them because at the end of the day, it's them that fight out there and this is a club of very high expectations. 

"We always want more and more. I couldn't ask for more from these players but now is the time for them to have a different voice in the changing room."

Will Zinedine Zidane return to his post in the future? Time will tell and he is not ruling out this prospect. In his own words, the 45-year-old who replaced ex-Madrid coach Rafael Benitez in January 2016, noted: 

"Like I told the president it could be a 'see you soon' because Madrid has given me everything. I will still be close to the club but this decision is a clear one that might not make sense to some people but it is the moment to make a change, for the players as well."

The 1998 World Cup winner's exit could result in a massive reshuffling of the Galacticos with ageing stars Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale, and Cristiano Ronaldo tipped to fragment the "BBC trio" by joining new clubs this summer. Under Zidane, Real Madrid tasted glory in La Liga (2016-17), the Supercopa de Espana (2017), the FIFA Club World Cup (2016, 2017), the UEFA Champions League (2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18), and the UEFA Super Cup (2016, 2017). The next Real Madrid manager would have a high mountain to climb to emulate or surpass the squad's recent achievements with his first major challenge being the 2018 UEFA Super Cup against Europa League titleholders Atletico Madrid on August 15th.