Real Madrid transfer news: Ronaldo flirting with Man Utd caused Zidane exit - Calderon
REAL MADRID star Cristiano Ronaldo’s decision to flirt with a Manchester United return was behind Zinedine Zidane’s decision to quit as manager, according to former Los Blancos president Ramon Calderon.
Ramon Calderon: Zidane wasn't happy in his position as coach
Real Madrid lost Zidane yesterday with the Frenchman choosing to talk away after two-and-a-half successful seasons at the Bernabeu.
It leaves the Champions League holders facing a huge summer ahead, with Ronaldo’s future also the source of much discussion.
Reports in Spain suggest the 33-year-old is determined to rejoin Manchester United, having grown tired of Florentino Perez’s refusal to give him a bumper new contract.
Speaking after the Champions League final on Saturday, he said: “In the next few days I will give an answer to the fans that have always been on my side.
"It was very nice to be at Real Madrid, in the coming days I will talk about it more."
And Calderon thinks Ronaldo’s decision to open the door to a United return was too much for Zidane.
Real Madrid news: Cristiano Ronaldo's Man Utd angling saw Zinedine Zidane leave, says Calderon (Image: GETTY)
“He had some disagreements with the President during the season,” Calderon told LoveSport Radio.
“First of all with the keeper - the President wanted to sign the Athletic Bilbao keeper and he said my keeper is Keylor Navas.
“Then there was talk of Lewandowski but we know he likes Benzema.
“And now the problems with Ronaldo and Bale - it’s a pity really, because I like Cristiano and it took me a lot of hard work to bring him to Real Madrid - but it wasn’t the right moment to say what he said and the way he said it.
“He knew he was going to have problems with Bale and Ronaldo.
“That’s a problem we’re going to have in the next weeks, and perhaps that’s something he’s considered in making his decision.”
Real Madrid news: Ronaldo wants to return to Manchester United this summer (Image: GETTY)
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Ronaldo has many transfer options says ESPN's Marcotti
Calderon also thinks Perez has already settled on Zidane’s successor.
“Knowing him [Florentino Perez] well I think he knew a few weeks ago that Zidane would leave and already he’s made his mind up about the new coach,” he added.
“I don’t know who it will be but he will know and will have been in touch with someone.
“We know that he [Perez] offered the manager’s job to Wenger a few years ago but I don’t know if he feels the same now.
“It’s also known that he offered the position to [Joachim] Low, the coach of the German national team.”