Zinedine Zidane will face the media on Monday evening after returning as Real Madrid coach following the sacking of Santiago Solari. Zidane, 46, spent five years as a Real player before taking over as manager in January 2016 having cut his teeth with the club’s reserve team.
The Frenchman left in May 2018 after guiding Los Blancos to a third consecutive Champions League title and has been linked with several jobs in recent times.
It was thought that he might replace Maurizio Sarri at Chelsea, but the World Cup winner has now returned to the Bernabeu, penning a deal until 2022.
Real paid turbine to Solari, who replaced Julen Lopetegui in October last year, and announced Zidane as the man they hope will help to turn things around in the capital.
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A club statement read: “The Board of Directors of Real Madrid, meeting today, Monday, March 11, 2019, has decided to terminate the contract that linked Santiago Solari with the club as coach of the first team and, at the same time, Real Madrid has offered to continue belonging to the club.
“Real Madrid appreciates the work done by Santiago Solari and the commitment and loyalty he has always shown to this house. “The Board of Directors has also agreed the appointment of Zinedine Zidane as the new coach of Real Madrid with immediate incorporation for the remainder of the season and the next three, until June 30, 2022.” Zidane’s side won 104 out of 149 matches during his previous spell in charge, drawing 29 and lost only 16, leaving him with a 69.8 per cent win ratio – bettered by only four managers in Real’s history.
