OFFICIAL: Real Madrid sack Benitez and appoint Zidane

The former Liverpool manager has been relieved of his duties at the Santiago Bernabeu after slipping
four points behind city rivals Atletico Madrid at the
top of La Liga
Real Madrid have sacked Rafa Benitez and named
Zinedine Zidane as his replacement.
The 32-time Spanish champions fell four points
behind Atletico Madrid at the top of La Liga after a
2-2 draw against Valencia on Sunday and Benitez was
dismissed following a board meeting held on
Monday afternoon.

Club legend Zidane, who currently manages Madrid's
'B' team, has long been linked with the top job and
will now take charge.
The Spaniard has struggled to win over supporters
after replacing Carlo Ancelotti in the summer and
Madrid could fall five points behind Barcelona if the
defending champions win their game in hand.
Real cruised through their Champions League group,
winning five of their six matches and scoring 19
goals, but suffered embarrassment in the Copa del
Rey when they were disqualified for fielding an
ineligible player.
Benitez's position came under particular scrutiny in
November when Madrid suffered back-to-back
defeats against Sevilla and Barcelona, the latter a 4-0
humbling at home to their greatest rivals.
The former Liverpool and Napoli manager enjoyed
an 8-0 victory over Malmo in the Champions League
and a 10-2 thrashing of Rayo Vallecano but defeat to
Villarreal and the draw at Valencia has cost him his
position.