BACK in charge Zinedine Zidane returns as Real Madrid boss just ten months after leaving
Real Madrid have reappointed Zinedine Zidane as manager just ten months after the Frenchman stood down from his post.
Zidane sensationally returns to the Bernabeu in place of Santiago Solari, who was axed on Monday.
Los Blancos made their move to bring Zidane back after a disastrous run of form which has left them 12 points behind their bitter rivals and table-toppers Barcelona in La Liga.
Back-to-back home defeats to their Catalan adversary in the Copa del Rey and LaLiga respectively, followed by a humiliating Champions League defeat to Ajax last week, spelt the end of Solari’s reign.
His last match in charge came on Sunday as Real Madrid triumphed 4-1 against Real Valladolid – but the damage was already done.
Zidane has now signed a three-year contract to return to Real.
The Frenchman announced he was stepping down as Bernabeu chief in May just days after leading his side to their third successive Champions League title.
Julen Lopetegui was named his successor in June just before the World Cup in Russia.
But Lopetegui, who was sacked as Spain manager after taking the Real job, won just four of his ten league games in charge and was promptly dismissed as Real boss after four-and-a-half months in charge.
Reserve team coach Solari was then appointed and following a good start as manager he was given a full-time contract until 2021.
But he failed to turn the tide, prompting president Florentino Perez to tempt Zidane back.
“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,” read a statement from Real.
“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. “
One of the major reasons Zidane left Real Madrid was because Perez refused to grant him excessive funds for a squad overhaul that he claimed was necessary.
It’s claimed this has now changed due to the team’s downward spiral, hence why he is happy to take the job again.
His first match in his second spell as Real Madrid boss will be against Celta Vigo on Saturday,