Internet Desk : Rafael Benitez has been sacked as coach of Real Madrid after only seven months in charge and replaced by Zinedine Zidane.
Monday’s news conference at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium came a day after a 2-2 draw at Valencia kept third-placed Madrid from moving closer to Barcelona and leaders Atletico Madrid in the Spanish league.
Madrid president Florentino Perez said: “Rafa Benitez is an absolute professional and a wonderful person. We have decided to nominate Zinedine Zidane as the new manager of Real Madrid.”
Benitez has been under pressure since a demoralising 4-0 home loss to Barcelona in November. The team won seven of nine matches since the defeat at the Bernabeu, but fans continued to call for Benitez’s departure.
Zidane, who was Carlo Ancelotti’s assistant in 2014 when Madrid won the Champions League, has been coaching Madrid’s “B” team in the third division.
Speaking at Monday’s press conference, the 43-year-old Frenchman said: “This is an important day for me. I’m more excited now than I was when I signed as a player. I am going to put my heart and soul into this job so that everything works out well.
“This is the best club in the world and the best fanbase in the world. I want to ensure that by the end of the season, the club will have a trophy.”
Zidane’s first game in charge will be at home to Deportivo on Saturday evening.