They say you should never go back, but it worked out pretty well for Zinedine Zidane last time…
The former Real Madrid player and manager has taken charge of the Spanish giants once again, just under 10 months after he left them.
After reports had stated Zidane was returning, Real released an official statement on Monday saying that the legendary midfielder will be in charge for the next three seasons and has replaced current interim boss Santiago Solari.
“The board of directors also agreed on the appointment of Zinedine Zidane as head coach of Real Madrid with immediate effect for the remainder of the season and the next three campaigns, until 30 June 2022.”
Zidane’s close relationship with club president Florentino Perez is clear for all to see and he has returned to dig Real out of a huge decline.
He took his first training session with the players on Tuesday, as Solari has been offered the opportunity to remain at the club in another capacity.
Solari failed to pick up the pieces after a disastrous start to the season from new manager Julen Lopetegui who lasted just three months. Real crashed out of the UEFA Champions League to Ajax at the last 16 stage and sit in third place in La Liga after being knocked out of the Spanish Cup by Barcelona last week.
In an ultimate mic-drop moment, Zizou left Real last May after winning three-straight UEFA Champions League trophies.
Zidane, 46, has been out of work since but with Real now out of the Champions League and struggling in La Liga, he is ready to ride in and save the day once again.
It is clear that Zidane has been told he can rebuild this Real Madrid team and it seems likely that Kylian Mbappe, Eden Hazard and others will be right at the top of their wish-list this summer.