Following a meeting with Real Madrid’s board, trainer Rafa Benitez has been given the sack and will be replaced by Los Blanco’s legend Zinedine Zidane.
New boss Zidane has been promoted form being in charge of the Spanish giants B to taking over arguably one of, if not the biggest club in world football.
Following the appointment the French World Cup winner had this to say: “I am going to put my heart and soul into this job so that everything works out well.”
Benitez replaced Italian Carlo Ancelotti at the Santiago Bernabeu and was only seven months into his job before getting sacked as Real Madrid sit third in La Liga just four points behind leaders Atletico Madrid.
When speaking of the Spaniards dismissal club president Florentino Perez had this to say: “Let me make clear that this is a great professional and a great person.
“I want to acknowledge the dedication of Benitez during his time as coach of Real Madrid.”
One of the rumours doing the rounds as to why the 55-year-old manager got sacked surrounds a falling out he may have had with Cristiano Ronaldo, but it is more likely due to the fact he had lost the crowd.
Speaking about the possible reason behind Benitez’s dismissal Spanish football writer Andy West said: “The first major criticism arrived following a 1-1 draw with local rivals Atletico Madrid in October.
“But that was nothing compared to the avalanche of abuse endured by Benitez after Barcelona’s sensational 4-0 Clasico victory in November, which concluded with loud chants for the former Liverpool manager’s dismissal ringing around the Bernabeu after his team were utterly outclassed by their eternal rivals.
“Benitez survived that trauma, but he never really recovered and from that moment his departure was just a matter of time, with every home game since the defeat by Barca preceded by loud jeers when Benitez’s name was announced with the team line-ups.
“So the news of his departure comes as no surprise, with Benitez’s reign finally buckling under the weight of weeks of relentless pressure. “
