Rafa Benitez sacked as manager of Real Madrid, replaced by Zinedine Zidane
Another managerial grave is being dug at the Santiago Bernabeu.
On Monday, after an emergency meeting was reportedly held to determine his future and to the surprise of absolutely nobody, Rafa Benitez was sacked as manager of Real Madrid.
Replacing Benitez will be none other than Zinedine Zidane, who was promoted from manager of Real Madrid Castilla, the club's B team, and is one of Los Blancos' most legendary players. He tallied 49 goals through 227 appearances while donning the white shirt, capturing a Champions League title and a Copa del Rey crown in the process.
1 - Zinedine Zidane is the 1st French manager in the history of Real Madrid. Promotion.
— OptaJean (@OptaJean) January 4, 2016
Although Benitez's sacking comes one day after Real Madrid was held to a 2-2 draw at Valencia, the club's problems extend well beyond recent results as well as beyond the Spanish tactician. Since the 2015-16 La Liga season kicked off, Los Blancos failed to sign David De Gea in humiliating fashion, were thrashed in El Clasico, and were kicked out of the Copa del Rey for fielding an ineligible player. There were also reports of a rift between Benitez and players, including Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale.
Despite the struggles, however, Zidane will be inheriting a club Benitez left sitting third in La Liga and in the Champions League's knockout phase.
"I'm more emotional now than when I signed as a player," Zidane said, joined by his wife and four kids.
Real Madrid's next fixture goes Sunday at Granada.