Real Madrid: Zinedine Zidane replaces Rafael Benitez as coach

However, it quickly became clear that his reputation as a detail-obsessed and excessively defensive tactician, whether deserved or not, did not sit well with the Real fans.

A run of three league defeats in five games in November and December, including a 4-0 thrashing at home to Barcelona, wiped away the early credit Benitez had gained with an unbeaten 14-game run to start his reign.

Before his appointment on Monday, Zidane was in charge of Madrid’s B team for a year and a half. “This is your stadium, this is your club”.

But his league debut ended in an uninspiring 0-0 draw against newly promoted Sporting Gijon, and soon after that dismissive talk began about Benitez’s defensive style – something taboo to Madrid fans.

As for Benitez, West believes “he wasn’t allowed to do any kind of job” and did not have the freedom to build the team he would most like to put on the field.

Madrid, meanwhile, are now four points adrift of leaders Atletico Madrid and two behind Barcelona having also played a game more than the European champions.

In 2001, Real paid Juventus a then world record fee of £45.8m for the midfielder, who had already won the World Cup and European Championship.

Real have been drawn to play AS Roma in Europe’s elite club competition, with the first leg in the Italian capital on February 17.

– In his first season at Madrid, Zidane wrote himself into club folklore with a stunning match-winning volley in the 2002 Champions League final against Bayer Leverkusen in Glasgow. The Spaniard departs Madrid with Galacticos only one point in front of Villareal and ejected from the Spanish Cup – Copa del Rey. If the club fail to win the league this season, it would be their longest drought without a league title since 1990-94 (also four seasons).

Perez looked nervous when announcing the sacking of Benitez and refused to take questions after reading out a prepared statement. Regardless, Off The Post doesn’t seriously think that Mourinho was ever in the frame to replace Benitez.

“I am here to say that the board has just decided, a hard decision, especially for me, to end the contract of Rafa Benitez as first team coach”.

“He is clearly conscious of how tough this job is”, Perez said. He has faced important challenges throughout his life, with dedication and talent.

“Zinedine Zidane, this is your club, this is your stadium and you have all our support”.

“The press in England never exaggerated like you do here in Spain”, said Benitez, with a selective memory of his time in the Premier League.

“I know that the word ‘impossible” does not exist for you’.

Zidane said he was optimistic about the opportunity. I want to ensure that by the end of the season, the club will have a trophy. What we have to do, and what I’m going to try to do, is make every possible effort to see this team win something this season.