In that match, a large section of Real Madrid fans also called for the resignation of Pérez, but he vowed to continue at the helm and to retain Benítez, reiterating his trust in him as recently as three weeks ago.

In a brief news conference Monday, however, Pérez introduced Zidane as the person who “knows better than anybody else what it means to be leading the first team of Real Madrid.” Pérez concluded by turning to Zidane and telling him, “I know that for you the word ‘impossible’ doesn’t exist.”

The task facing Zidane, 43, may not be impossible — Real Madrid is only 4 points out of first place and remains a leading contender to win the Champions League — but it will be a tall order for a newcomer to top-flight coaching, particularly because he is taking charge of one of the world’s most expensive teams, filled with players with considerable talent but sizable egos.

Zidane had been rumored as a possible replacement for Benítez since the Clásico defeat, but he had told reporters that he was in no hurry to take on such a job and that he felt that “a lot is missing before reaching the first team” of Real Madrid.

On Monday, Zidane said he felt more emotional than when he signed as a player for Real Madrid from Juventus in 2001, for what was then a record fee of 75 million euros, about $81.2 million. “I will give everything so that the team wins something this year,” he said.