Real Madrid on Monday sacked its coach, Rafa Benitez after just seven months in charge, replacing him with ZinedineZidane.
The controversial decision to terminate Benitez appointment at his childhood club and replace him with Segunda B team coach, Zidane follows the Los Blanco’s unimpressive 2-2 draw against Valencia on Sunday night.
During an emergency meeting on Monday, Real Madrid President, Florentino Perez decided to swing the axe with the club sitting third in the table, two points behind rivals Barcelona, and four behind league leaders Atletico Madrid.
“Rafa Benitez is an absolute professional and a wonderful person. We have decided to nominate ZinedineZidane as the new manager of Real Madrid”, Perez announced the club’s decision at a press conference.
Addressing Zidane, Perez said: “This is your club, this is your stadium. And you have all our support. From this moment, you are the trainer of Madrid. I know that the word ‘impossible’ does not exist for you.’
Accepting the role, Zidane, who won La Liga and the Champions League in his time with Real as a player, promised to turn things around: “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.
“I will be working hard with all the players and I think that it will go well. I will put all my heart into this club”, Zidane pledged.
Why Benitez was axed:
Real Madrid had endured a run of poor results under the Spaniard, including a 4-0 defeat to Barcelona with club fans unhappy with the team’s defensive style of play and inability to match the fire power of their Catalona rival.
Benitez-led Real Madrid was unable to win any of Madrid’s big away games so far this season with Villarreal, Sevilla and Barcelona all beating them and Atletico Madrid, Valencia and PSG all taking a point.
Benitez was also reportedly undone by his failure to win over some of his senior players with Cristiano Ronaldo and Sergio Ramos amongst those happy for his uncharitable exit at the Bernabeu.
By OlisemekaObeche