Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1091956
maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 13 MARCH 2019 21 SPORTS FOOTBALL Zinedine Zidane Real Madrid reappoint Frenchman to replace Santiago Solari ZINEDINE Zidane said he is "very happy to be home" after re- turning as Real Madrid manager just 10 months after leaving the Spanish giants. The Frenchman replaces San- tiago Solari, who was sacked after less than five months in charge. Former Real midfielder Zidane, 46, who left in May after lead- ing the club to a third straight Champions League trophy, has agreed to take over until 2022. Real are currently third in La Liga, 12 points behind leaders Barcelona. "The best manager in the world has rejoined the club," Real pres- ident Florentino Perez said. "Our destinies are once again united." Solari's last match as manager was a 4-1 win over Real Vallado- lid on Sunday - which followed a shock Champions League exit to Ajax. That 4-1 home defeat and 5-3 aggregate loss to the Dutch side was the final straw for Perez. The Champions League elimi- nation followed two consecutive losses to Barcelona in El Clasico - a 1-0 reverse in La Liga and a 4-1 aggregate defeat in the Copa del Rey. Zidane stepped down follow- ing the Champions League fi- nal victory over Liverpool, and Julen Lopetegui was hired as his successor just before the World Cup where he had been due to lead Spain, who promptly sacked him. Four and a half months later it was Real's turn to fire him. Reserve-team boss Solari came in as caretaker before being giv- en a contract to 2021 on 13 No- vember. "Real Madrid thanks Santiago Solari for his work done and the commitment and loyalty he has shown to what is his home," the club said. It added the former player had been offered another role with the club. Zidane was officially unveiled in a ceremony on Monday and said: "I want to put this club back where it belongs. "It has been difficult from the outside looking in. "I have been living here in Madrid, doing my things. But I have recharged my batteries. I'm ready to coach this great club again." What job faces Zidane at Real? Despite returning less than a year after he left the club, Zidane faces a rebuilding job at Real Madrid after their Champions League dynasty came to a re- markable, humiliating end last week. They have not adequately re- placed Cristiano Ronaldo, who left for Juventus in the sum- mer, with Karim Benzema the only Real player to reach double figures in La Liga (13). He has scored 22 goals in all competi- tions, with Gareth Bale on 13 and Sergio Ramos on 11. None of those players have cer- tain futures at Real, with captain Ramos, who has been at Real for 14 years, reportedly falling out with president Perez. Wales forward Bale is expected to leave because of a fractious relation- ship with the club's fans - who have booed him recently - and players. Other stalwarts of recent glory like Marcelo and Toni Kroos have struggled too. Zinedine Zidane played for Real Madrid from 2001 to 2006 and originally managed them from 2016 to 2018