Champions League: Zidane refuses to resign after Real defeat

REAL Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has rejected calls for him to resign following the club’s 2-0 home defeat to Shakhtar Donetsk in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday night.

The defeat left the 13-time champions in a precarious position, third in their group and in danger of crashing out if they do not beat Borussia Monchengladbach in their next match.

“I am not going to resign – not at all,” Zidane said at his post-match press conference.”We have always had delicate moments. It is true that it is a bad streak in terms of results, but we must continue. 

“We’ve had some tricky times and you’re always going to get them. We’re on a bad run in terms of results, that’s the reality of it, but we’ve got to keep going. We knew tonight’s game was a cup final and we prepared really well for it.”

Zidane is the most successful Real Madrid coach of the last 10 years, winning three Champions League titles and two LaLiga trophies in just four full seasons in charge.

He is confident his side can still turn the ‘tricky’ situation around. 

“We put in a great first-half performance, but didn’t manage to get the goal,” the Frenchman said.

“We’ve got one game to go and need to win it and think about getting through to the next round. We’ve always had tricky times and there’ll always be tricky times at this club. 

“There’s no chance whatsoever of me standing down. We’re going to keep going. In truth, we did really well in the first half. We deserved to be in front and that would have really changed things.

“Their goal did us a lot of damage because we were performing well in their half, pressing them and winning the ball back. We had two or three chances and even hit the post, but the ball didn’t go in and then things became tough for us.” 

The 1998 World Cup winner as a player with France sent a message of optimism to the club’s fans, insisting that he and his players would not give up fighting.

He said: “It’s in the tough times that we have to show our character and pride. Tonight’s game was a shame because we didn’t deserve that. We’ll have to win the next game, our last one.

“It wasn’t to be tonight, but we’ll keep the faith and fight hard, that’s for sure, I have no doubt in my mind. I’m feeling strong and I’ll give it my all, as I always do. The same goes for the players, just like they did today.

“Our problem is that we’re struggling to get the first goal that would make the game easier. We have to get through this rough patch because it’s obvious these are poor results for us, but we’re going to keep working hard and believe in what we do.” 

Despite the outrage at Tuesday night’s results and Real Madrid’s struggles in LaLiga, there are reports that Zidane has the backing of the club’s board and will be in charge of the league fixture at Sevilla at the weekend.