After a series of unsatisfactory results, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez officially fired Rafa Benitez on Monday.
Blancos legend Zinedine Zidane, who had been the head of Real’s B squad, was announced as the club’s new manager during the press conference.
“We have the best team and the best supporters in the world. I will do everything possible to win something this season,” he told reporters. “The most important thing is to be with the team tomorrow to start working. Today is a very exciting day for me, even more so than when I signed as a player. I am going to give all my heart for this club.”
Benitez was relieved one day after Real Madrid’s 2-2 draw against Gary Neville’s Valencia. In the match, Real conceded the equalizing goal to make it 2-2 immediately after Gareth Bale’s header made the score 2-1 in the 82nd minute.
Madrid currently sits third on the La Liga table, two points behind Barcelona and four behind league leaders Atletico Madrid. Barcelona, however, has a game in hand over Real. Before the 2-2 draw to Valencia, Madrid won two league games over Rayo Vallecano and Real Sociedad after losing 1-0 to Villareal.
Think Benitez’s sacking is justified? How do you think Zidane will do as head coach of Real Madrid?
Share your thoughts below.
couldn’t figure out his relationship to James, and while I’m no Real Madrid fan, I love James. so glad to see Benitez go
Rafa never had a chance and was a necessary sacrificial lamb of sorts.
Between a deluded president in Perez, an ageing egomaniac in Ronaldo, Benzema with all his off the field issues, inconsistent at best Bale and James…when he was hired, I had an over and under with my buddies of whether Rafa was going to last the entire season (I lost, actually, I thought he would be kicked to the curb come May)…
I wonder what happens when and if referees stop giving Real Madrid 2 penalties per game. You can’t beat Valencia, that’s what happens…and people thought that Manchester United were blatantly favored by refs in SAF’s days…refereeing at Real Madrid games these days is a joke-2 penalties and 2 red cards, per game, every game! Disgusting!!
Very interested to see how Zidane does. Huge fan of his. Modern soccer has been shaped by Cruyff and Guardiola — great players with brilliant minds. Let’s see if we can add Zidane to this list.
it was so smart to fire Carlo for Rafa. brilliant stuff, Perez.