Benitez sacked as Madrid turns to Zidane
Rafael Benitez's short spell as Real Madrid coach came to an end on Tuesday after he was sacked with the club third in La Liga.
Real Madrid has sacked head coach Rafael Benitez after just seven months in charge and appointed Zinedine Zidane as his successor.
Benitez, 55, has paid the price for an uninspiring start to the season with Monday's (AEDT) 2-2 draw at Valencia leaving Madrid third in the Spanish Primera League, four points adrift of leader Atletico Madrid and two behind arch-rival Barcelona, which also has a game in hand.
Results on the pitch only tell half the story, though, with persistent rumours that senior players at the Santiago Bernabeu were underwhelmed by Benitez's cautious approach.
With fans also voicing their disapproval — Benitez's name was loudly whistled when read out ahead of the game against Real Sociedad on 30 December — the writing has appeared on the wall for some time.
Madrid president Florentino Perez called an emergency board meeting on Monday after which it was confirmed Benitez had been dismissed and Zidane drafted in.
The former France midfielder made more than 150 appearances for Madrid between 2001-2006 before starting his coaching career in 2013 under then Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti.
He then assumed control of Castilla — Real Madrid's reserve side — during which time he gained his UEFA Pro Licence.
