Joachim Low has ruled himself out of the running to replace Zinedine Zidane at Real Madrid.

“Of course I can completely rule that out now,” Germany’s World Cup-winning manager said. “Real Madrid will surely find a very, very good substitute for Zinedine Zidane.

“His resignation surprised me a little, but he is the best judge of whether the team has reached its peak (under him).

“If he feels now is the right time, then you have to respect that.”

Low signed an extension with the German football federation ahead of this summer’s World Cup, where Die Mannschaft are looking to defend the title they won in 2014. He hasn’t been a manager at club level since 2004, with Austria Vienna.

During his reign, Germany have reached at least the semi-finals of every international tournament, with the 2014 triumph in Brazil his crowning moment.

He also led an inexperienced squad to the Confederations Cup title last year, even though Germany left most of their star players at home.

His side’s preparations for this summer’s tournament in Russia conclude with friendlies against Austria on Saturday and Saudi Arabia next Friday, before kicking off their defence of the World Cup against Mexico in Moscow on June 17. They will also face South Korea and Sweden in Group F.