Madrid president Florentino Perez called an emergency board meeting on Monday after which it was confirmed Benitez had been dismissed and Zidane drafted in.
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Real Madrid right-back Marcelo refused to get drawn into speculation about Rafael Benitez’s future, saying the players must keep winning for the head coach.
‘That was a small step tonight, ‘ added Neville whose best game in charge so far was watched by his friend, business partner and Valencia owner Peter Lim.
Real have lost three of their last eight La Liga games, with Sunday night’s draw against Valencia leaving Los Blancos in third place, four points behind city rivals Atletico at the top of the table.
Here, AFP Sports looks at what went wrong for the former Liverpool and Chelsea manager on his return to the club where he started his playing and coaching career.
“I absolutely hope I am here beyond six months, but I know I have to prove myself and that tonight isn’t proving myself”.
The incident is just the latest off-field embarrassment for Madrid with striker Karim Benzema facing an official investigation in his native France for charges relating to a blackmail attempt on worldwide teammate Mathieu Valbuena.
Gary Neville has stated his intention to remain at Valencia next season after watching his team push Rafa Benitez’s 10-man Real Madrid all the way. “I am the head coach of a huge club”.
“When we were down to ten we had to make more of an effort and the players did that”.
But speaking just over two months ago in October Zidane reacted to the talk the club could sell Ronaldo or Bale, “Big players are what people want to read about, so that is why they are written about”.
Do you think Benitez deserves to be sacked? With the score level at 1-1, Croatian midfielder Mateo Kovacic was given a straight red card for a wild lunge at Joao Cancelo mid-way through the second half at the Mestalla.
“Gareth could have scored in stoppage time and Álvaro had a chance at the other end”.
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Real is next in action on Sunday when it hosts Deportivo at the Bernabeu.
