Real Madrid sack coach Rafa Benitez and appoint Zinedine Zidane

Jan 07, 2016 Real Madrid recently parted ways with Coach Rafa Benitez after less than half a season in charge. The board immediately promoted former France great Zinedine Zidane to replace him.

This was announced by the club’s president, Florentino Perez.

Speaking at a news conference, Perez, who had publicly backed Benitez in recent weeks, said:

“Today we have made a difficult decision, especially so for me, which is resolving Rafa Benitez’s contract as coach of our first team. I want to make it clear he is a great professional and a magnificent person and I would like to thank him for his work and dedication over these months as Real Madrid coach. I want to also announce that the Real Madrid board has decided to appoint Zinedine Zidane as coach of the first team,”

Also speaking at the conference, newly promoted Zidane said he was very excited about his new position.

“The only thing I can say to you is that I will do everything possible, all my best, with every player and I think things will work out well. That’s all. The important thing is to be with the team tomorrow and get to work,”