Soccer-Zidane restored success to Real but seemed unwilling to rebuild

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - La Liga Santander - Real Madrid v Sevilla - Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano, Madrid, Spain - May 9, 2021 Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane during the match REUTERS/Susana Vera

(Reuters) - Zinedine Zidane brought some success and stability back to a Real Madrid side that was in freefall without him but the Frenchman ultimately proved unwilling to preside over the squad rebuild the club felt it needed.

Zidane called time on his second spell in charge of the club on Thursday, leaving on his own terms as he did in 2018 after an unprecedented hat-trick of Champions League crowns and when he abruptly retired as a player in 2006.