Zinedine Zidane returns to Real Madrid

[webfact]

Zidane promises changes at Real as he replaces Solari

By Rik Sharma

 

Soccer Football - Real Madrid Press Conference - Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain - March 11, 2019 New Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane during the press conference REUTERS/Susana Vera

 

MADRID (Reuters) - Real Madrid reappointed Zinedine Zidane as coach on a three-year contract on Monday following the sacking of Santiago Solari with the Frenchman promising wholesale changes after the deposed European champions saw their season collapse inside a week.

 

Zidane won an unprecedented three consecutive Champions League titles with the Spanish giants before resigning in May last year, with his replacement Julen Lopetegui sacked in October and Solari lasting just over four months in charge.

 

Madrid were eliminated from the Champions League in the last 16 by Ajax Amsterdam last Tuesday after two Clasico defeats by Barcelona, knocking Real out of the Copa del Rey and leaving them 12 points adrift of the Catalan Liga leaders.

 

"Things will change, in every way, we have to change things for the years to come," Zidane told a news conference at the Santiago Bernabeu after signing a contract until June 30, 2022, raising the prospect of a squad overhaul.

 

"Now the important thing is that I am back, and there is time to talk and see what needs to be done. Right now, that's not the issue, we have 11 games to play."

 

Real next face Celta Vigo in La Liga at the Bernabeu.

 

Solari, a former Real Madrid and Argentina midfielder who took over the reins on Nov. 13, had replaced former Spain manager Lopetegui but failed to bring success to the club.

 

Real have offered Solari the chance to remain at Madrid in a different role if he wants to continue working at the Bernabeu.

 

Real had won the Champions League for three straight seasons under Zidane, who also lifted the trophy as a player with the club, but they suffered a shock 4-1 loss at home to Ajax to go out 5-3 on aggregate, their earliest exit since 2006.

 

"When the president called me, I could not tell him no," said Zidane. "When you have won a lot, sometimes you can have a dip, and this year it has been like that.

 

"I don't blame anybody. Lopetegui and Solari wanted to do the best they could for the players, the team and the club. It went how it went, I won't get into that, we must look forward."

 

TOP FOUR

Solari was in charge of Real for 22 games in all competitions, losing eight and drawing two, and helped the Spanish giants claim the FIFA Club World Cup in December.

 

Real are third in the Liga standings, with Zidane's job now is just to keep them in the top four and secure a Champions League spot. They have a 10-point lead over fifth-placed Alaves.

 

Barca beat Real 1-0 in the league at the Bernabeu on March 2 just three days after winning 3-0 in Madrid to knock their arch-rivals out of the Copa del Rey in the semi-finals.

 

Solari's side thrashed Real Valladolid 4-1 on Sunday in his final stand as coach. Zidane, who won the World Cup with France as a player, will take charge of training on Tuesday.

 

Zidane, who took over at Real in January 2016 after Rafa Benitez was dismissed, won the Champions League that season, before claiming a La Liga and European Cup double in 2017.

 

Five days after a third triumph in last season's Champions League final over Liverpool, the former Real midfielder decided to walk away, saying it was the right moment to depart.

 

The 46-year-old Frenchman, who won the World Cup and European Championship as a player, secured nine trophies as coach at Madrid and is considered a hero by supporters after managing Real in one of the team's most successful eras.

 

"The history of this club is not going to change. We all know this is the best club in the world," addedZidane. "I'm happy to be here and I have to think about Saturday's game."

 

(Reporting by Rik Sharma; editing by Ken Ferris)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2019-03-12

[BangrakBob]

that shit ton of money request finally approved. 

[mercman24]

SHOULD have stayed away, while he was ahead of the game Spanish fans are the most fickle in the world, i cant see him doing any different and soon his name will be mud, (well Man U manager did turn them around

[champers]

Hazard and Ericsson top of his list of targets.

[BangrakBob]

12 minutes ago, mercman24 said:

SHOULD have stayed away, while he was ahead of the game Spanish fans are the most fickle in the world, i cant see him doing any different and soon his name will be mud, (well Man U manager did turn them around

They will give him a lot of money to build in the summer no?

 

Pep & Jose proved all you need is money, a shit load of money ????

[BangrakBob]

2 minutes ago, champers said:

Hazard and Ericsson top of his list of targets.

they can have Mo for 300 Million 

[jellydog]

14 minutes ago, BangrakBob said:

They will give him a lot of money to build in the summer no?

 

Pep & Jose proved all you need is money, a shit load of money ????

Didn't much help Jose this last time around. ????

[mrbojangles]

34 minutes ago, BangrakBob said:

 

Pep & Jose proved all you need is money, a shit load of money ????

Unlike Klopp who spent £176m alone last summer .

[milwaukeeboy]

It puts me to sleep when I repeatedly read his initials.

[BangrakBob]

5 hours ago, mrbojangles said:

Unlike Klopp who spent £176m alone last summer .

‘Net’ Spend Since Klopp Arrived at Anfield

Man City – £404m
Man United – £320m
Chelsea – £208m
Arsenal – £162m
Liverpool – £126m

 

[Nyezhov]

Gareth Bale to Man U

[jellydog]

3 minutes ago, Nyezhov said:

Gareth Bale to Man U

It will be interesting to see what becomes of that diving, mercenary, pink frilly speedo wearing weirdo.

[roquefort]

1 hour ago, BangrakBob said:

‘Net’ Spend Since Klopp Arrived at Anfield

Man City – £404m
Man United – £320m
Chelsea – £208m
Arsenal – £162m
Liverpool – £126m

 

Tottenham - zero

[mrbojangles]

2 hours ago, BangrakBob said:

‘Net’ Spend Since Klopp Arrived at Anfield

Man City – £404m
Man United – £320m
Chelsea – £208m
Arsenal – £162m
Liverpool – £126m

 

I'm not denying City or United have spent big. All big clubs spend big to win things (bar Leicester) but your point was " Pep & Jose proved all you need is money, a shit load of money" Well, no matter what way you want to slice and dice it, Klopp has also spent big money. The fact he sold players who he no longer wanted or whom Liverpool were offered too much to refuse, doesn't change the fact that he has also spent huge amounts. The only major difference is that Klopp hasn't won anything, whereas Jose and Pep have. ????

 

Gross spend since Klopp arrived at Anfield:-

Man City (£779m)

Man United (£677m)

Chelsea (£675m)

Liverpool (£608m)

Arsenal (£407m)

[mrbojangles]

1 hour ago, roquefort said:

Tottenham - zero

Is that the trophy count ????

[balo]

Zidane needs to get Ronaldo back from Juventus or he won't win many trophies next season. 

 

[sanemax]

12 minutes ago, balo said:

Zidane needs to get Ronaldo back from Juventus or he won't win many trophies next season. 

 

He will be 35 next year

[balo]

26 minutes ago, sanemax said:

He will be 35 next year

Still one of the best trained athletes in the world.

I think good for another 2 years.   

[champers]

18 hours ago, balo said:

Still one of the best trained athletes in the world.

I think good for another 2 years.   

Saw his hat-trick last night v Athletico Madrid. If he stays on form Juve will take some beating. The whole side was outstanding.