Real Madrid have sacked their manager, Rafa Benitez after six months in charge.
He has been replaced by former player Zinedine Zidane.
The Club’s President, Florentino Perez, reportedly dismissed the Spaniard after an emergency board meeting on Monday and made the announcement at a press conference at the Bernabeu later in the evening.
“The board has taken a difficult decision – especially for me, to sack Rafael Benítez – a great professional and a magnificent person,” he said
Confirming that Zinedine Zidane would be taking over, he said “I’m very proud because I know that for Zidane, the word ‘impossible’ doesn’t exist.”
Zinedine Zidane, immediately after the announcement, made a short speech as Real Madrid’s new head coach.
“I thank the club and the president for giving me the opportunity to train the club. It’s the best club in the world and the best fanbase.
“I want to do my very best to ensure the club has a trophy at the end of the season. Tomorrow is when the work starts.
“It’s an emotional day, even more emotional than the day I signed for the club,” he said.
Benitez took over the Real Madrid job from Carlo Ancelotti in June 2015 but they are third in the standings, four points behind leaders Atletico Madrid, after suffering three league defeats this season, including a 4-0 home loss to arch-rivals Barcelona.
The team showed great fighting spirit to earn a 2-2 draw away to Valencia on Sunday despite being reduced to 10-men and that added little to their fortune on the table.
The former Chelsea and Liverpool coach endured a tough time since taking over in June.
Benítez also took part of the blame for Madrid’s expulsion from the Copa del Rey after fielding an ineligible player against Cadiz as the club lost the chance for a major silverware.
Rafael Benítez is the 11th coach to have been dismissed by Florentino Perez, who is currently in his second term at the Bernabeu.
Frenchman Zidane, asides being a Madrid legend, has also been the coach of Real Madrid’s reserve team, Castilla.
Real have been European champions 10 times and have been constantly rated the most valuable club in the world.
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