Rafa Benitez has been axed as Real Madrid boss, only after seven months in charge, following a 2-2 draw at Valencia. Benitez, who claimed that he finally landed ‘dream job’ in June, endured a difficult spell at the Santiago Bernabeu, as Real are third in La Liga 4 points off city leaders Atletico Madrid. Champions League and World Cup winner Zinedine Zidane has been promoted from manager of Real Madrid Castilla, third in Segunda Division B, to the first team and will have tremendous pressure on his rather inexperienced shoulders.
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Factors both on and off the pitch contributed to Rafa’s exit and he was heavily criticized, especially by the fans, for his defensive style of football. Rumors were rife that Benitez had fallings out with key players including Cristiano Ronaldo and a 4-0 thumping at the hands of Barcelona in the first El Clasico of the season did the Spaniard no favors. Although the former Napoli manager led Real to two big wins – 8-0 at Malmo and 10-2 against Rayo Vallecano – Benitez was a largely unpopular figure at the Bernabeu, where fans expect entertaining football and not just the three points. Being ‘above average’ is simply unacceptable at Real and club President Florentino Perez swung the axe on the Champions League winning box manager halfway through the season, although fans and pundits alike questioned Perez’s appointing of Benitez in the first place.
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If the underwhelming draws and downright embarrassing losses weren’t enough, Real Madrid were expelled from the Copa del Rey for fielding an ineligible player, a gaffe which sent the footballing world bursting into tears of laughter, while the Real faithful were left hiding their faces in shame and pointing fingers at the Benitez management.
Perez, who isn’t an entirely popular figure himself, has now sacked 11 managers in his 12 years as President and while Zidane had been widely touted to be the next manager at the Bernabeu, his relative naïveté and sudden appointment will undoubtedly raise some eyebrows.
The former France midfielder said – “I’m going to do everything I can to make the best for this club.
“It’s a very important day for me. What I can tell you is that I will give everything or this club. Ever since I arrived as a player I knew how great this club was.
“We have the best fans in the world and the best club in the world and I’ll do everything to win.”
Will Zidane succeed at the helm of one of the most demanding clubs in the world? Only time will tell. But he must be wary; his predecessor lasted for 25 matches.
Tags: Rafa Benitez Real Madrid Real Madrid new manager Zinedine Zidane
