Real Madrid hired Rafa Benitez last summer to replace Carlo Ancelotti who decided to take some time off after two seasons with the Spanish club. For many people Benitez was never the best choice but he was coming off couple good seasons with the Italian club Napoli and Madrid needed a more defensive-minded coach on their quest to gain the Liga back from rival Barcelona.
The relationship only lasted 7 months as Benitez was fired today after weeks of speculation on the status of his job. His job was in jeopardy ever since his side lost to Barcelona at home 4-0 earlier this season, the star players like Ronaldo and Ramos didn’t like his coaching style and from there it was difficult from him to persuade the front office to keep him, the draw on Sunday 2-2 against the struggling Valencia sealed his fate at Bernabeu.
Real Madrid’s president Florentino Perez named Zinedine Zidane as his replacement and this is a great move for the Spanish giant who still 3rd in the standings just 4 points behind the leader Atletico. They are still in great position to win the league and Zidane will have the task to lead them to the promise land.
The first reason, for this great hire, is Zidane used to be one of the superstars to play for Madrid, he knows the house inside and out and have the full trust of Perez who tried before to name him as a coach when Ancelotti resigned but he told him he was not ready. Zidane also has the full support of the fans who he made dream during his playing career with the club. During his days as player, he won everything and scored the winning goal in the 2002 Champion’s league final against Leverkusen during a time where Madrid was trying to regain the top spot in Europe.
Zidane has obviously a lot of history with Madrid fans but he is also arguably one of the best soccer players to ever play which will come handy in a locker room full of stars like the one in Madrid. Ronaldo will have the absolute respect for Zidane because he grew up watching him play and wishes to be recognized once he’s done playing as one of the best also. Zidane can give him few tips on how to get to that level which he is not far from, the egos will be left at the door. Zidane will have no issues getting the attention of this roster because they all saw him win individual and team titles which leads us to the style of play he will use as the new manager.
Benitez was criticized for having a boring style, he was a defensive-minded coach, he wasn’t going to change just because he was hired by the Real Madrid and that is the reason he is out of the job also. Florentino Perez spent millions on players mostly offensive players because he wants to win but he also wants to win with style, this is where Zidane comes in, he was one brilliant offensive player that could change a game with a pass, an acceleration or when needed a goal. Zidane has vowed to have the same style of play as a coach, he said he wants his team to play and create, the roster is certainly built for that and thirsty for it in that sense, it is a match made in heaven.
We can’t ignore that Zidane doesn’t have a lot of experience as a coach but he was an assistant under Ancelotti where he observed and learned a lot. He was in charge of the Madrid’s reserve team this year, he had to at one point jumped into it and this is a perfect landing spot for him. It will be interesting to see how he debuts next week-end and the excitement of the city to see their former idol lead the team to new heights once again but this time as a coach.