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Zinedine Zidane "excited" by Real Madrid challenge

New Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane is "excited" at the prospect of his first major managerial role having replaced Rafael Benitez at the Bernabeu.

Zinedine Zidane has said that he is "excited" by the challenge ahead after he was named as the new manager of Real Madrid.

Rafael Benitez was sacked as Madrid boss and replaced by Zidane this evening having failed to win seven of his opening 18 league matches in charge of the club, the last of which saw them held by Valencia on Sunday.

It is Zidane's first major managerial role having only previously spent time in charge of the club's Castilla team, and he is eager to get going ahead of his first match in charge - a home tie against Deportivo La Coruna in La Liga on Saturday.

"I want to thank the club and thank the president for giving me the opportunity to train this club," the Frenchman told reporters at his unveiling.

"It's the best club in the world with the best fan-base in the world. I want to do my very best to ensure that this club at the end of the season will have a trophy. I will be working hard with all the players and I think it will go well. I am looking forward to working with everybody tomorrow. Tomorrow is when the work starts.

"Thank you to everyone. It is an important day for me, it's an emotional day, even more emotional than the day I signed as a player for the club. I will put all the heart I have into this job for the club. Thank you very much."

Zidane won the World Cup, European Championship and Champions League during a glittering playing career with club and country that also saw him named FIFA World Player of the Year on three occasions.

He joined Madrid for a world-record fee of £45.8m in 2001, going on to make 225 appearances as a member of the Galacticos.

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Rafa Benitez barks orders during the game between Valencia and Real Madrid on January 3, 2016
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Real Madrid33266171224984
2Barcelona33227468392973
3GironaGirona33225669402971
4Atletico MadridAtletico33204962392364
5Athletic Bilbao331610753332058
6Real Sociedad331312846351151
7Real BetisBetis33121384139249
8Valencia33138123738-147
9Villarreal33129125455-145
10Getafe331013104145-443
11Osasuna33116163749-1239
12Sevilla33911134246-438
13AlavesAlaves33108153138-738
14Las PalmasLas Palmas33107163041-1137
15Rayo Vallecano33713132742-1534
16Mallorca33614132739-1232
17Celta Vigo33710163750-1331
18CadizCadiz33414152346-2326
19Granada3349203661-2521
RAlmeria33111213267-3514


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