Zidane replaces Benitez as Real Madrid coach

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez confirms the sacking of Rafa Benitez as manager of the Merengues.

Zinedine Zidane has been appointed as new Real Madrid coach, with Rafa Benitez having been sacked from the position by club president Florentino Perez on Monday.

Benitez, who began his playing career with the club’s reserve sides and later held several coaching roles at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, returned to the club just last summer following the dismissal of Carlo Ancelotti.

Zidane spoke briefly during Monday’s news conference, promising to “give it all his heart to make the team successful.”

After a board meeting held on Monday afternoon, Perez told a news conference at the Bernabeu that Zidane was “one of the greatest players of all time,” and told him: “Zidane, you are from this moment, the manager of Real Madrid. This is your stadium, this is your club.”

A full news conference to unveil the 43-year-old is set for Tuesday.

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