Pintus leaves Madrid as Zidane clears out remains of 2018 crew

Antonio Pintus has left Real Madrid. As reported by As in June, the fitness has been on the way out of the club since Zidane returned but it wasn't until Tuesday that they scrubbed his name from the official website. Zidane was the one responsible for his signing in 2016 and is also responsible for his departure.

The French manager was clear that on his return to Real Madrid he would not be counting on the man, who until then, had been his fitness guru. The split between the pair came when Zidane decided to leave the club in May 2018 but Pintus opted to continue. He did not leave like David Bettoni, his assistant coach, and Hamidou Msaidie, strength coach, and Zidane wasn't best pleased with the Italian's decision.

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Pintus knew he would have to find a new job when Zidane returned

Aware of the distance Zidane kept when he returned to the bench, Pintus started to search out potential destinations and he will be on the bench next season with Antonio Conte at Inter Milan. The pair crossed paths with Juventus when the now manager was a player. They have been working together for the last couple of weeks in Milan as they make plans for the coming season.

Madrid lose a key and charismatic figure in the dressing room with the loss of Pintus. Famed as the coach made of steel, he knew how to win over the players with specific training plans and diets. Lopetegui's arrival pushed him to the margins with Óscar Caro taking charge but once the Basque manager was sacked, Pintus, who the players always preferred was reinstalled as the head strength and conditioning coach.

Now Zidane has to decide who will replace Pintus to make sure his side are ready for the start of the season and deep runs in all competitions.