Real Madrid have confirmed the return of Zinedine Zidane following the sacking of Santiago Solari, with the legendary player and coach signing a contract until 2022.
Standard Sport reported on Monday afternoon that Real had decided to remove Solari as first-team coach following the club's disastrous Champions League exit against Ajax last week.
The Argentine has been on borrowed time ever since Los Blancos’ 4-1 loss at home to Ajax and Champions League last-16 elimination last Tuesday.
That followed back-to-back Clasico defeats against Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu as Real crashed out of the Copa Del Rey and fell 12 points behind their fierce rivals in La Liga.
President Florentino Perez met with members of his board after the loss against Ajax, with the question not if but when to sack Solari.
In the end, it was decided that the 42-year-old would not be removed straight away, giving the club extra time to look for a replacement – be it a short- or long-term option.
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino, Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri and Germany coach Joachim Low were all discussed as the board met again on Thursday, but former managers Zidane and Jose Mourinho emerged as the top targets.
Zidane was the first choice and has been convinced to take over for a second spell, having only left the club at the end of May following a successful two-and-a-half year tenure in which Madrid won the Champions League three times in a row.
Perez met with other senior directors in a board meeting on Monday evening, after which Solari’s sacking was confirmed along with the return of Zidane.
The Frenchman will be in charge for next weekend’s La Liga game at home to Celta Vigo.
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