Zidane Replaces Benitez as Manager Real Madrid <br />ZINEDINE ZIDANE has replaced RAFAEL BENITEZ as manager of REAL MADRID following the Spaniard's SACKING after just seven months in charge.. <br /> <br />Zinedine Zidane replaces Rafael Benitez as Real Madrid coach <br /> <br />Rafael Benitez has been sacked as manager of Real Madrid after just seven months in charge, with club legend Zinedine Zidane replacing him. <br /> <br />Spaniard Benitez, 55, was relieved of his duties following a meeting of the club's board on Monday. <br /> <br />Real's B team coach Zidane, 43, has been promoted to first-team boss. <br /> <br />The Frenchman, a former Real player and World Cup winner, said: "I am going to put my heart and soul into this job so that everything works out well." <br /> <br />Benitez's final game was Sunday's 2-2 draw with Valencia, which left them third in La Liga, four points behind leaders Atletico Madrid. <br /> <br />Zidane is the 11th coach to be appointed in Florentino Perez's 12 years as club president across two spells. The length of his contract has not been made public. <br /> <br />His first match in charge will be Saturday's home La Liga game against Deportivo la Coruna.
