According to new reports, La Liga giants Real Madrid have sacked manager Rafa Benitez, with an official announcement allegedly coming later today after months of rumors regarding the coach's future with the team. It sounds like Madrid isn't looking too far for Benitez's replacement either. Football legend for Real Madrid and current B-team coach Zinedine Zidane is reportedly set to serve as interim coach of Cristiano Ronaldo and his team for the remainder of the season.
You can check out more buzzing news coverage from Music Times right here!
Though the news has yet to be officially confirmed by the team, reports suggest that an announcement is on its way and that an interim coach has already been picked (via AS). According to Marca, the decision comes on the heels of poor performances during the 2015/2016 season.
Madrid fans are most likely familiar with the controversy surrounding the exiting coach and star player Cristiano Ronaldo. Speculation around their relationship have caused transfer and sacking rumors to pop up in the past, and it looks like the latter was true (via ESPN FC). Rumors claimed Ronaldo would return to Manchester United and the Premier League, but it looks like Benitez was fired before this came true ... though rumors still persist!
Benitez replaced Carlo Ancelotti over the summer, signing a three-year contract. This alleged sacking will make way for Zidane, who was previously linked to the coaching gig before Benitez was hired, according to SBNation.
We'll have to wait for the official announcement, but, according to reports from Goal.com and other sources, Zidane is the frontrunner for the job due to his history as a player with the club and his current position with the B-team.
