Real Madrid sack manager Rafa Benitez, bring in Zidane

Real Madrid has sacked Benitez with the club third in the league, behind both city rivals Atletico Madrid and national rivals Barcelona. Legendary French midfielder Zinedine Zidane is taking up the post.

Real Madrid club chairman Florentino Perez hosted Monday's press conference in the capital, at which questions were not permitted.

Real drew 2-2 with Valencia in their most recent league fixture, but had notched several big wins prior to that.

French star midfielder Zinedine Zidane, the world's most expensive player when he signed for Real, will succeed Benitez as manager. He has spent recent months being groomed for the role, coaching Madrid's third-division "B" team.

"I would like to thank the club that has given me this opportunity. We have the best club in the world, the best fans across the globe," Zidane said at the evening press conference in Madrid, saying he was more excited than when he signed up as a player at the Bernabeu. "I will do my very best with all the players and I believe that everything is going to turn out well."

Less than two months ago, with rumors already flying, Perez had told assembled journalists that Real would continue to back its veteran manager, formerly of clubs including Valencia, Liverpool, Chelsea, Inter Milan and Napoli.

In Perez's two stints as club chairman (2000-2006, 2009-present), Real Madrid have now gone through a total of 11 different managers.

(DW)