The 43-year-old Zidane got right down to work within hours of Rafael Benitez being sacked on Monday night as he takes the step up from his only previous coaching job with Castilla, the Real B team.
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The squad played on a short pitch before kicking balls into the stands of the Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium at Madrid’s training grounds.
― File picMADRID, Jan 6 ― Sacked Real Madrid coach Rafa Benitez says it was “an honour and privilege” to lead the club he has always supported and has sent a “good luck” message to his successor, former France great Zinedine Zidane.
Speaking via his official website, Benítez said: “Now, at the end of my time as first team coach of Real Madrid, I would like to use this article to say goodbye to everyone at every level of the club”.
They are now four points behind first place Atletico Madrid after picking up 11 wins, four draws, and three losses so far this term.
Despite renewed interest from Manchester United, the 26-year-old was thriving at Real under Rafael Benitez and Zidane moved quickly to reassure Bale that the former Chelsea and Liverpool manager’s sacking would not affect the Welshman.
However, after taking charge of his first training session on Tuesday, Zidane has quickly stated the importance of the Welsh worldwide at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Pep Guardiola has wished new Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane well but hopes his record is not “perfect” due to the fact he is a Barcelona fan.
Speaking at the Qatar Open in Doha, Nadal said: “Zidane is history of the sport, history of football, and he’s part of the history of Real Madrid”. “I’m not surprised, it’s a regular subject in modern football”, said the former Roma coach. “I’m going to try the best so we work hard”. I’m at the best team in the world and all I want is to win titles with this team. “Guardiola is a fantastic coach and what he is doing is very impressive but I’m not going to compare myself to him”, Zidane said. I know the players from when I worked with Ancelotti.
“We are in the last 16 and the target is always to win in the Champions League and will continue to be so and we’ll try to make it possible”.
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With Madrid expelled from this season’s Copa del Rey due to fielding the ineligible Denis Cheryshev, Zidane maintains that capturing league and European silverware is the club’s target for the season.
