Madrid president Florentino Perez said: “Rafa Benitez is an absolute professional and a wonderful person”.
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Benitez lost only three of the 25 games for which he was in charge – but two of those came against Villarreal and Barcelona, the latter a 4-0 reversal which was particularly damaging.
Real Madrid might have won 10 champions league title but the fact remains that the club will remain a mockery to the likes of Arsenal and neighbours Atletico Madrid who know stability is the key to success and not changing coaches to insanity.
A full news conference to unveil the 43-year-old is set for Tuesday.
“I can only say that I’m going to do everything possible, the best I can along with all the players and I think everything will turn out fine, that’s all”, stated Zidane in his first words as manager.
“A man that has been the best at a game we all love, taking over of a club that myself and many more people love…” From here I want to acknowledge the work and dedication of Rafa Benitez during these months as coach of Real Madrid.
Zidane’s first match in charge comes at the Bernabeu on Saturday against dogged Deportivo La Coruna and he is 2-11 to make a flying start.
Further embarrassment was to follow when Madrid were thrown out of the Copa del Rey for fielding an ineligible player last month.
Speaking on Game On on RTE 2FM, former Ireland global Eamon Dunphy said he believed that Zidane will need to be given money to spend by the club.
Zidane becomes Real Madrid’s 13th coach this century but he remains a rare breed in Spain’s capital.
The pressure to deliver at a club that expects a regular stream of major silverware will be huge and it remains to be seen whether the decision by club president Florentino Perez to discard Benitez and hand the reins to the relatively green Zidane will pay off.
French star midfielder Zinedine Zidane, the world’s most expensive player when he signed for Real and a former Madrid captain, will succeed Benitez as manager. I am looking forward to working with everybody tomorrow.
Zidane’s first season in charge of Real Madrid Castilla ended in failure as they failed to reach the play-offs for promotion to the second division, although this campaign they are now second in their group.
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“I want to thank the club and the president for the opportunity to coach this club”, he said.
