Iconic Zinedine Zidane completes Florentino Perez's grand plan

Andy West 08:59 05/01/2016
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Zidane at his unveiling.

    Florentino Perez proudly declared “the impossible does not exist” for Zinedine Zidane as the Frenchman was last night named Real Madrid manager following the sacking of Rafael Benitez.

    Zidane, who won six trophies – including the La Liga title and the Champions League – over 225 appearances for Madrid between 2001 and 2006, began his coaching career in 2013-14 as Carlo Ancelotti’s assistant and has been serving as B-team coach since the summer of 2014 after being promoted to that position by Perez.

    There is no surprise in the appointment, with Perez regularly stating his admiration for Zidane and repeatedly publicly admitting his wish for the 43-year-old to one day become first-team coach.

    – #360view: Zidane has a Real job on his hands in Madrid
    – RECAP: Zidane replaces sacked Benitez at Real Madrid

    – #360view: No cause for concern at Barca with new faces

    Perez said: “I am proud to have you by my side, because I know that the word impossible does not existfor you. This is your stadium, and your club.”

    The Frenchman becomes the club’s fourth manager in the space of three and a half years, and Perez did not attempt to gloss over the challenges of the position.

    “Zidane is, without any doubt, one of the greatest figures in the history of football and he knows better than anybody what it means to lead the Real Madrid first team and how tough it is,” he said.

    Perez was also keen to point to Zidane’s experience of working with the first team alongside Ancelotti at a brief press conference at the Bernabeu last night.

    He added: “He already knows the players, and with him as assistant manager the team lifted the club’s tenth European Cup in Lisbon.”

    And Zidane, who was joined by his family at his unveiling and becomes Madrid’s first ever French managerin their 113-year history, was keen to express his delight.

    The three-time World Player of the Year said: “I am more emotional than when I signed as a player, but that is normal and I am going to put my heart into doing all I can for this club. I will do everything I can to help the team win something at the end of the season.”

    Zidane will respond to questions in a press conference at the Bernabeu this afternoon, and his first game in charge will be at home to Deportivo on Saturday.

    The details and length of Zidane’s contract are not known, although former Madrid president Ramon Calderon claimed last night should he fail, he expects Jose Mourinho to take over in the summer.

    In an interview with beIN Sports, Calderon said: “He lacks experience, going to Madrid may be too much for him. But I want him to be successful.”

    The final straw for Benitez came when Los Blancos twice surrendered a lead to draw 2-2 at Valencia on Sunday night, leaving them four points behind La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid and two behind Barcelona, who have a game in hand.

    Although the draw was in itself no disgrace, it was merely the latest in a long line of setbacks to have dogged the former Valencia, Liverpool, Internazionale, Chelsea and Napoli coach since his summer appointment.

    Benitez was never truly accepted by the fiercely critical Spanish media or the club’s highly demanding fans, who had chanted for his dismissal at every home game since November’s disastrous 4-0 defeat to Barcelona in El Clasico.

    There were also regular reports that he commanded little support in the dressing room, with captain Sergio Ramos and star man Cristiano Ronaldo among those believed to have little faith in their manager’s methods.

    Perez, who was personally responsible for the recruitment of Benitez and repeatedly stood by his man until Monday, admitted he was disappointed by the Spaniard’s failure.

    “We have taken what was a very difficult decision, especially for myself, to terminate Rafa Benitez’s contract as head coach,” he said. “In Benitez, we are talking about a top professional and a great man. I want to thank him for the commitment he has shown over the course of the past months.”

    Recommended