By Daily Sports on January 4, 2016
Spanish La Liga giants Real Madrid have named club legend Zinedine Zidane as the new coach after relieving embattled coach Rafa Benitez of his job, club president Fiorentino Perez told a press conference held on Monday evening in the Spanish capital.
Perez said: “I am here to say that the board has just decided, in a difficult decision, especially for me, to end contract of Rafa as first-team coach.
“I would like to make it clear that he is a great professional.
“Zinedine Zidane knows better than anyone what it is like to stand at the front and lead Real
Madrid. Throughout his career he has always been able to face up to huge challenges.”
Benitez’s sack followed a string of poor results recorded by Real in the Spanish La Liga, including a 0-4 home loss to rivals Barcelona and recently a disappointing 2-2 draw with Valencia in a game they twice led.
Perez poured more encomiums on Zidane at the presser saying: “He is one of the greatest players of all time. Zinedine, this is your club, your stadium and you have all our support. Zidane you are, from this moment, the trainer of Real Madrid.”
Zidane was the world’s most expensive player when he arrived at Real’s Bernabéu from Juventus in 2001, spending five years at the club and winning La Liga and the Champions League. Since 2014 he has been coaching Real Madrid’s B team.
He said of his new assignment: “Firstly I would like to thank the club and the president for giving me the chance to coach this team. I’m more emotional now than when I signed as a player. We have the best club in the world and the best fans in the world.”
•Photo shows Real Madrid’s new coach Zinedine Zidane.
Source Daily Sports
Posted January 4, 2016
You may also like...
Frank De Boer Appointed Dutch National Team Coach...
Enyimba overpower Nasarawa Utd., move into top half...
Egypt’s Prosecutor To Investigate Missing African Cup Saga...
Despite war, Ukraine sends 140 athletes to Paris...
Chile crash Portugal Confederations title chase
Nigeria’s women off to Botswana tomorrow for U-19...
SWAN Honours Ezeonwuka, 40 Years After Building Rojenny, Nigeria’s First Private Stadium
Man City need to 'step up' as striker's goal run ends
'People are afraid' - why 'juggernaut' Arsenal are team to beat
Aspinall requires further tests on eye injury in UK
Real Madrid impress but Vinicius tension grows - Clasico talking points
Rooney says struggling Liverpool lack leadership
NOC To Host FinalIOC Advanced Sport Management Course Module
4 Teams Lock Horns For N10m Tiger 5-Aside Football Battle In Awka
Nezianya, Odikpo, Balepo, Ndukuba, Chukwuleta For SWAN @60 Veterans’ Awards
Anambra FA Crisis: Igbokwe, 61 Years Old Football Administrator Protests Arrest, Detention
Gala European record thrills Osimhen
La Liga: 'I am enjoying football at Barca', Rashford eyes permanent move
Most Read
Rangers International going, going . . . (63,273 views)
Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (54,479 views)
Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (52,428 views)
Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (52,036 views)
Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (52,015 views)
Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (51,988 views)
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (51,818 views)
NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (51,398 views)
Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (50,512 views)
Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (49,052 views)
Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (47,491 views)
John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (46,953 views)