Shortly after sacking Rafael Benítez from the post, Real Madrid have this evening promoted club legend Zinedine Zidane to become manager of the Spanish side. The news was announced at a Real press conference led by club President Florentino Perez which commenced at 18:30 today and confirmed over the club’s Twitter account.
Zinedine Zidane, nuevo entrenador del Real Madrid. https://t.co/E5xiOgYkLg#RealMadridpic.twitter.com/rrIcl9GOTx
— Real Madrid C. F. (@realmadrid) January 4, 2016
The change in manager comes only seven months after Benítez was hired by the club, and less than 24 hours after Real Madrid drew 2-2 away against Gary Neville’s Valencia side.
Some, notably including former club president Ramón Calderón, had speculated that Los Blancos would again hand the managerial reigns to Jose Mourinho, available after his acrimonious departure from Chelsea. (Metro)
However, in opting to promote Zidane from head coach of Real Madrid’s B side Castilla to the prestigious role of Real Madrid boss, the club have employed a strategy utilised with success by rivals Barcelona. In recent years, the Catalan team have taken on managers such as Pep Guardiola, Tito Vilanova and current head coach Luis Enrique, all of whom had been previously been involved with the coaching of Barça’s B Team.
Along with being unveiled manager of Los Galácticos on a three-year deal at the press conference, the club legend was on hand to add some comments of his own, telling reporters that his club has “the best fans in the world” and that he would try his best to win a trophy for them by the end of this season. (Football España http://www.football-espana.net/55996/zidane-targets-trophies)
COPE | Zidane will sign a 3 year contract at Real Madrid. pic.twitter.com/fXn8ckPWQT
— SocialRMadrid (@SocialRMadrid) January 4, 2016
Zidane becomes Real’s 23rd manager since the inception of the Champions League in 1992 and joins an illustrious list which includes the likes of Spain boss Vicente Del Bosque, Manchester City’s Manuel Pellegrini and Chelsea’s Guus Hiddink.
