With the exit of skipper Sergio Ramos from Real Madrid, Florentino Perez has finally got what he wanted.

The club’s president had declared as far back as February on ‘El Chiringuito’ that he was planning big changes.

The first of those was the departure of coach Zinedine Zidane just a week after the end of the domestic season.

ALSO READ The reasons why Sergio Ramos is leaving Real Madrid

Under the Frenchman Real Madrid were a team that gave their all, but there were signs of exhaustion throughout both their LaLiga Santander and Champions League campaigns.

And Zidane leaving made some of the ensuing decisions easier to make. The main one being Ramos.

As opposed to Zidane – who had a year left on his contract – Ramos was becoming a free agent, with Florentino Perez offering him a one-year extension.

But Ramos, convinced he could play on for longer, felt he deserved more than that.

However, it wasn’t forthcoming and his lack of pitch time due to injury in 2021 made Florentino Perez‘s decision a more palatable one amongst the club’s directors.

And it is certainly an easier way to make a fundamental change than moving ten players in and out, which is hard work in this climate.

Zidane and Ramos will be a huge loss

They got on famously as coach and leader, and they remain in touch.

Zidane always considered Ramosindispensable, as he showed by bringing him back into the XI for arguably Real Madrid‘s biggest game of the season against Chelsea in the Champions League semi-final second leg.

But the club has embarked on a new direction, one that opens the windows of the changing room and gives them room to evolve under returning boss Carlo Ancelotti.

And though these two pillars are leaving, no one is bigger than the club and it means Los Merengues can move forward without looking back.