BREAKING NEWS: Real Madrid sack Benitez, appoint Zidane

In addition, Benitez, a former Real youth coach and player, was said to have ruffled a few feathers in the changing room, with top stars such as James Rodriguez and Isco supposedly seeking moves away.

So, since sacking now World Cup winning Spain coach Vicente del Bosque back in 2003, Los Merengues have given 12 different bosses the boot over almost the same number of seasons, with controversial Portuguese Jose Mourinho clinging to the dugout longest with three terms in charge.

Zidane takes over Bernabeu hotseat

Zidane had long been linked to eventually be given a shot at the big job, and is apparently a popular figure behind the scenes, as well as previously on the pitch.

The Frenchman originally arrived at the Bernabeu for a then world record fee of £45.8m from Italian giants Juventus back in 2001, and went on to win both La Liga and Champions League medals as a player, as part of Los Blancos’ famous Galactico side.

In a short statement, Zidane said: “I thank the club and the president for giving me the opportunity to train the club. It’s the best club in the world and the best fanbase.

“I want to do my very best to ensure the club has a trophy at the end of the season. Tomorrow is when the work starts. It’s an emotional day, even more emotional than the day I signed for the club.”

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