Sports
Real Madrid fires Benitez, considers Zidane
Real Madrid have confirmed the sacking of boss, Rafa Benitez.
The sacking comes less than 24 hours after Madrid were thwarted to a 2-2 draw by Gary Neville’s Valencia last night.
Benitez was hired by Madrid in the summer, penning a three-year-deal at the Bernabeu after his predecessor, Carlo Ancelotti left the club.
The Spaniard has come under heavy criticism since taking the helm at La Liga giants with some poor results and performances. Benitez leaves the club who lay 3rd in the La Liga table, 4 points adrift of current leaders, Atletico Madrid.
Madrid have not been up to their usual high standards and speculation will now boil as to who will be the new successor in the Spanish capital.
With the transfer window open and a key window to pick up points, there’s no doubt Madrid will be looking for a new manager sooner rather than later.
Read also: Hiddink insists Chelsea can make top 4
Meanwhile, Zinedine Zidane is set to be appointed the new Real Madrid manager, Football Insider sources understand.
Zidane is poised to take the step up from managing Real ‘B’ team Castilla and be named the new senior Real boss. The Frenchman, 43, was Carlo Ancelotti’s number two during the 2013-14 season.
A source close to Real has told Football Insider that an announcement confirming the change of manager is expected from the club in the next 24 hours.
Real chiefs decided to act even though the team have collected seven points from their last three league matches and are just four points behind leaders Atletico Madrid in the La Liga table.
One of the key factors in the dismissal of the 55-year-old former Chelsea, Liverpool and Valencia manager is that he is said to have a fractious relationship with senior members of the Real squad, including Cristiano Ronaldo.
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