Muscat: Zinedine Zidane has been re-appointed Real Madrid manager, just 10 months after he left the Primera Liga side, the Spanish club have announced.
Zizou will take charge of the club with immediate effect, with Real Madrid also choosing to let go of current boss Santiago Solari, who stepped in earlier this season following the dismissal of Julen Lopetegui.
A statement from Real Madrid CF said, “Thee Real Madrid board of directors, which met today, Monday 11 March 2019, has decided to terminate Santiago Solari's contract as first-team coach, whilst Real Madrid have offered him the opportunity to remain at the club.
“Real Madrid wish to thank Solari for his work, commitment and the loyalty that he has always displayed towards this club, which is his home,” added the club. “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 – who was arguably one of the best players of his generation – spent five seasons at the Santiago Bernabeu, where he won the Primera Liga, Champions League, Super Cup, Intercontinental Cup and two Spanish Super Cups.
He returned to the club as coach in January 2016, having previously been appointed the coach of their youth team, Real Madrid Castilla. His impact as coach of Real was immediate, as he won another Liga and Super Cup, in addition to two Super Cups, two Club World Cups and three UEFA Champions League trophies.
He has also won the World Cup with France, in 1998, and the European Championship, which he won in 2000.