Official: It’s Rafa Benitez out and Zinedine Zidane in at Real Madrid

Real Madrid have finally announced what everyone suspected - Rafa is a goner.

The Spanish superclub confirmed on Monday evening that Rafael Benitez had been relieved of his first-team duties. He had only been in post for seven months. Benitez has been replaced by the legendary Zinedine Zidane, who is promoted from his role as coach of Real Madrid Castilla, the club's second string side in Segunda Division B. Real currently sit in third place in La Liga, four points behind leaders and neighbours Atletico Madrid, and two points adrift of fierce rivals Barcelona, who have a game in hand. It is rumoured that Benitez had fallen out with various high-profile players at the Bernabeu. He was not popular with the fans for his defensive style of play.