'Zidane insisted on keeping Ronaldo & selling Bale - that was why he left'

Ex-Real Madrid president Ramón Calderón has discussed the differences between Florentino Perez and Zinedine Zidane that prompted the French coach to resign.

Former president of Real Madrid Ramón Calderón has spoken about the main factors behind Zinedine Zidane’s decision to quit days after winning the Champions League final against Liverpool in Kiev.

Calderón, who presided over the club from 2006 to 2009, made reference to the differences between the French coach and the current president Florentino Perez that arose when the two sat down to discuss planning ahead for the current season.

“Zidane insisted on keeping Cristiano and selling Bale," said the former president.

But in fact, Perez "did the opposite" to what Zidane had asked. Zidane wanted "to have decision-making power when it came to signing some players and selling others, but his demands were not met, and so he decided to leave. And he was right,” added Calderón.

Shortly after the departure of the French coach, Cristiano Ronaldo left for Juventus, leaving Gareth Bale as the main flagship player at the Bernabeu. The Welshman was expected to take on the leadership role in the absence of Ronaldo but has been criticized for so far failing to do so.