ZINEDINE ZIDANE resigned as head coach of Real Madrid today just days after leading the Spanish club to a third straight Champions League trophy.

The 45-year-old Frenchman delivered Real to their fourth European Cup in five years — and third under his rule — by masterminding victory over Liverpool in Kiev on Saturday.

However, the fact that Real could only finish third in La Liga had led to persistent speculation about his long-term future and Zidane revealed his decision to step down in a hastily arranged press conference today morning.