Zinedine Zidane reassures Gareth Bale over Real Madrid future

Former Real Madrid President Ramon Calderon has claimed that the timing of recently departed manager Rafa Benitez’s sacking was purely financial, as well as making some bold claims about his intended replacement.

Real Madrid sacking Benitez, was reported to have upset Bale, prompting fresh rumors of Bale returning to the Premier League.

Zidane highlighted that maintaining good relations with the players represents the starting line from which he will lead the team, which includes Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale, in a clear reference to the attacking nature of the team.

That way of thinking is why Roberto Carlos believes Benitez was doomed to fail at Madrid.

Real play Roma in the last 16 when the tournament resumes in February.

“A lot of the players at Real Madrid are not playing as a team, they are playing for themselves and he has been brought up with the concept of a team to work well”, he said.

Although he lasted just seven months at the Santiago Bernabeu, former Napoli coach Benitez insists it was a pleasure to be given the chance.

Zidane will take charge of his first game as manager of Los Blancos against Deportivo at the weekend, and the 43-year-old has received backing from a surprising source this afternoon. “With Zidane, I am certain Madrid will play better”.

“He’s good for… one of the most important clubs of the world, Real Madrid have somebody like him on the bench managing the club, and I am happy for him”, he said. We know there are important games still to play.

“I’ve got good feelings, but a coach is never fully prepared, especially a coach who has never managed at this level before”, he said.

“What’s important to me is the day to day, what I’m going to try to do and add to the squad”.

After being confirmed as Benitez’s successor, Zidane went back to the drawing board to see if he could turn things around for Real Madrid. I didn’t as a player and won’t do so as a coach.

It was his very first season with the Spanish club, but it quickly came to an end on Monday.