Rafa Benitez sacked at Real Madrid

Madrid president Florentino Perez called an emergency board meeting on Monday after which it was confirmed Benitez had been dismissed and Zidane drafted in.

Had Benitez’ side held on for the win they would have gained ground on both their rivals Barcelona, who they are two points behind in third and are now four points behind table-topping Atletico Madrid.

Zidane now takes over at the helm of a club he played for and indeed inspired to their ninth Champions League title in 2002 with one of the most memorable goals ever.

And the Frenchman was part of Carlo Ancelotti’s coaching staff when they won the Champions League and Copa del Rey in 2014.

He said: “With 10 players we had to make an effort and the team has done”.

Zidane is the 11th coach to be appointed under Perez in just over 12 years in two spells in charge of the club.

The former France worldwide progressed from assistant manager of the first team to the head coach of the B-team, Real Madrid Castilla, before finally being handed the reigns after Rafa Benitez’s sacking on Monday.

“I will put all my heart into this job and for the club”.

Perez paid tribute to the 55-year-old former Liverpool boss as “an absolute professional and a wonderful person”, before handing responsibility for reviving the club’s fortunes to Zidane.

Confirming that Zinedine Zidane would be taking over, he said “I’m very proud because I know that for Zidane, the word “impossible” doesn’t exist”.

There has been continual talk over recent weeks in the Madrid press about Benitez’s job and the coach has been whistled by the Bernabeu crowd for some below-par performances. In the second half, being down to ten men, we made a big effort.

“I cannot prevent people from speculating (about my position) but what I can achieve is that the team works like it has today”.