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Real Madrid have confirmed the sacking of manager Rafa Benitez - and announced he has been replaced by Zinedine Zidane

President Florentino Perez said at a pres conference on Monday: "I invite you all here today to announce that we have terminated the contract of Rafa Benitez.

“I would like to make it clear that he is a great professional.”

On new appointment Zidane, he said: “He is one of the greatest players of all time. Zidane, you are from this moment, the coach of Real Madrid.”

Former Liverpool and Chelsea boss Benitez has endured a tough season at the Bernabeu since taking over in June, and while he only finds his side four points off Atletico at the top of La Liga he has had fallouts with key players and been criticised for a defensive style of football.

Benitez was also denied the chance for another piece of silverware, the Copa del Rey, after

The last straw:

It leaves the Champions League as their most likely chance of glory this season, but club president Florentino Perez has opted for a change ahead of their round-of-16 tie with Roma next month.

An announcement is expected at a press conference at 4:30pm on Monday.

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Zinedine Zidane - the coach of Real Madrid's second team, Castilla - is expected to take over.

The Frenchman is understood to privately prefer a summer change and the chance to undertake an entire pre-season but won't turn down the chance to manage the ten-time European champions if, as expected, Perez offers him the job.

Real are hosting an open training session at their Valdebebas training ground on Tuesday, which will likely be Zidane's first session with the senior team.

(Image: Getty)

Time was called on Benitez's time in charge after the 2-2 draw with Valencia on Sunday.

Los Blancos twice took the lead through Karim Benzema and then Gareth Bale, but could not see out the game after playing the final 25 minutes with 10 men, following Mateo Kovacic's red card.

The games which cost Rafa Benitez his job at Real Madrid 0-4 vs Barcelona (H), Nov 21 0-1 vs Villarreal (A), Dec 13 2-2 vs Valencia (A), Jan 3

After the game, a glum-looking Benitez tried to avoid questions about his future.

He said: "I can only make sure that we work hard in every game. I thought we did that tonight and I’m pleased with the players."

When asked if he thought failing to beat Valencia would cost him his job, he added: "That's only if we look at the result. This performance deserves more praise than criticism.

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"I can't avoid people speculating [about my job]. But I can make sure that the side works the way it did today.

"We saw a great team with 10 players that stood up to be counted until the end, when we had a great chance to win."

The draw with Valencia follows a poor run of form, which included a 4-0 drubbing by Barcelona and 1-0 away defeat at Villarreal.

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READ MORE: 5 possible contenders to become next permanent Real manager

Real's notoriously unforgiving fans let their feelings known to Benitez when he was booed by large numbers of the supporters inside the Bernabeu during his last home game in charge last week.

Benitez had been criticised for his defensive approach to the game which was not popular among fans and players.