The coaching carousel continues to spin at break-neck speeds, with the latest casualty being Real...

https://rich-content.thescore.com/authors/michael-j-chandler/content_cards

Michael J. Chandler

Supervising editor

<p>The coaching carousel continues to spin at break-neck speeds, with the latest casualty being <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///liga/teams/44" href="http://www.thescore.com/liga/teams/44">Real Madrid</a>'s Rafa Benitez, who has been a lightning rod for criticism in his seven months at the club.</p><p><strong>Related: <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/927853" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/927853">Rafa Benitez sacked as manager of Real Madrid, replaced by Zinedine Zidane</a></strong></p><p>Club legend Zinedine Zidane was named Benitez's replacement, becoming Real's first ever French manager after a spell bossing the reserve side.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>In light of the Madrid-born gaffer's dismissal, here's a look at how Twitter reacted to the news:</p><p><strong>On Rafa's tenure at the Bernabeu</strong></p><figure><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">So Rafa is 'gone'. If confirmed, will have enough knives planted in his back to open a cutlery shop. Not Real Madrid's finest hour.</p>— Philippe Auclair (@PhilippeAuclair) <a href="https://twitter.com/PhilippeAuclair/status/684027570090827777">January 4, 2016</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><figure><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Real Madrid have scored 15 goals in the last 15 days. Not good enough in a leap year.</p>— Duncan Alexander (@oilysailor) <a href="https://twitter.com/oilysailor/status/684028224221908992">January 4, 2016</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><figure><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Benitez sacked? Not the first time <a href="https://twitter.com/GNev2">@GNev2</a> has had the last laugh against Rafa... <a href="https://t.co/bw53uGMI27">pic.twitter.com/bw53uGMI27</a></p>— Jon-T (@AchtungJono) <a href="https://twitter.com/AchtungJono/status/684022396962013184">January 4, 2016</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p><strong>On Rafa's next gig</strong></p><figure><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Rafa Benitez should have gone to West Ham.</p>— John Brewin (@JohnBrewinESPN) <a href="https://twitter.com/JohnBrewinESPN/status/684086001497694208">January 4, 2016</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><figure><iframe src="https://vine.co/v/M9UrQKVPAM2/embed/simple" width="600" height="600" frameborder="0"></iframe><script src="https://platform.vine.co/static/scripts/embed.js"></script></figure><figure><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Wonder if Benitez knows there's a Hungry Horse, Odeon and Primark in West Brom?</p>— Kai Brannigan-Fleet (@KaiBFleet) <a href="https://twitter.com/KaiBFleet/status/684092978416238592">January 4, 2016</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p><strong>On Rafa's replacement</strong></p><figure><iframe src="https://vine.co/v/ibPbvwzpwDY/embed/simple" width="600" height="600" frameborder="0"></iframe><script src="https://platform.vine.co/static/scripts/embed.js"></script></figure><figure><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Cristiano isn't going to like having a coach who nutmegs him in every training session.</p>— Brooks Peck (@BrooksDT) <a href="https://twitter.com/BrooksDT/status/684089442957541376">January 4, 2016</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><figure><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The next Clásico will be somewhat more interesting than usual <a href="https://t.co/QaerXFSlwE">pic.twitter.com/QaerXFSlwE</a></p>— Mohamed Moallim (@iammoallim) <a href="https://twitter.com/iammoallim/status/684091963373649922">January 4, 2016</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><figure><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Beckham on Zidane appointment at Real, praising his "drive and passion" <a href="https://t.co/0zEoDzC9ed">pic.twitter.com/0zEoDzC9ed</a></p>— Rob Harris (@RobHarris) <a href="https://twitter.com/RobHarris/status/684104334137622528">January 4, 2016</a>
</blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>

UEFA Champions League

La Liga Soccer

Real Madrid

Death, taxes and Real Madrid firing managers.   The Spanish juggernaut, sputtering (by its lofty ...

https://rich-content.thescore.com/authors/gianluca-nesci/content_cards

Gianluca Nesci

Supervising Editor

<p>Death, taxes and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///liga/teams/44" href="http://www.thescore.com/liga/teams/44">Real Madrid</a> firing managers. </p><p>The Spanish juggernaut, sputtering (by its lofty standards) in La Liga this season, confirmed what has seemed inevitable since the day Rafa Benitez was hired only seven months ago, announcing Monday that the under-fire boss has been sacked, replaced on the touchline by club icon Zinedine Zidane.</p><p><strong>Related: <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/927853" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/927853">Rafa Benitez sacked as manager of Real Madrid, replaced by Zinedine Zidane</a></strong></p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The Madrid native, 55, was given his marching orders despite the club finding itself a mere four points off the top of the La Liga table, where city rival <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///liga/teams/51" href="http://www.thescore.com/liga/teams/51">Atletico Madrid</a> sits at the summit. Though Los Blancos are well within striking distance for the Spanish title, there was consistent outrage from supporters over the team's uninspiring, defensive style of play under Benitez, along with a series of unfortunate, high-profile gaffes that blighted his tenure; the Copa del Rey debacle, a reported rift with marquee players, and a 4-0 battering at the hands of <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///liga/teams/37" href="http://www.thescore.com/liga/teams/37">Barcelona</a> in this season's edition of El Clasico.</p><figure><iframe src="https://renderer.qmerce.com/interaction/568aa6473a731d3e71ba9738" width="100%" height="350" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></figure><p>And while the timing seems odd - the club is one day removed from earning a 2-2 draw away to <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///liga/teams/45" href="http://www.thescore.com/liga/teams/45">Valencia</a>, despite playing with ten men - trigger-happy president Florentino Perez decided the time was right for the seemingly inevitable announcement.</p><p>Here's everything you need to know about Real Madrid's decision to cut ties with Benitez, and replace him with Zidane.</p><p><strong>REACTION</strong></p><ul>
<li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/927799" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/927799">VIDEO: Zidane's replacement of Benitez gets the Photoshop treatment</a></li>
<li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/927849" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/927849">Twitter reacts to Rafa Benitez's sacking by Real Madrid</a></li>
<li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/928066" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/928066">Beckham praises hiring of Zidane: 'The best person for the job'</a></li>
</ul><p><strong>COACHING CAROUSEL AT THE BERNABEU</strong></p><ul>
<li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/927959" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/927959">Short stories: 5 fleeting tenures at the helm of Real Madrid</a></li>
<li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/928076" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/928076">Real Madrid is a Galactico-sized train wreck under Florentino Perez</a></li>
</ul><p><strong>LOOKING BACK AT BENITEZ'S ILL-FATED TENURE</strong></p><ul>
<li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/927841" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/927841">Writing on the wall: 5 factors that led to Benitez's firing at Real Madrid</a></li>
<li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/798429" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/798429">Real Madrid boss Benitez insists there is no rift with Cristiano Ronaldo</a></li>
<li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/890537" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/890537">Perez calls press conference to deny rumours of Benitez's dismissal</a></li>
<li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/889833" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/889833">Report: Rafa Benitez's dismissal 'not a matter of if, but when'</a></li>
<li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/889948" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/889948">Zinedine Zidane denies links with Real Madrid 1st-team manager role</a></li>
<li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/888640" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/888640">Real Madrid boss Benitez reflects on dismal, one-sided Clasico defeat</a></li>
<li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/890795" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/890795">Benitez given dreaded vote of confidence: 'He has all our support'</a></li>
</ul><p><strong>ZIDANE TAKES OVER</strong></p><ul>
<li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/927990" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/927990">Zidane: Becoming Madrid manager more exciting than the day I signed</a></li>
<li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/928085" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/928085">Surviving Madrid: Zidane risks predictable ending at unforgiving club</a></li>
<li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/928162" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/928162">Calderon: Perez tried to sign Mourinho, didn't want Zidane as manager</a></li>
<li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/928553" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/928553">PHOTOS: Zinedine Zidane oversees 1st Real Madrid training session</a></li>
<li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/928532" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/928532">Spanish media doubts Zinedine Zidane future at Real Madrid</a></li>
<li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/928614" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/928614">Zidane targets trophies, attacking football as hard work starts</a></li>
</ul><figure><iframe src="https://renderer.qmerce.com/interaction/568aa8f592bdd93309ddb0d3" width="100%" height="350" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></figure>

Twitter reacts to Rafa Benitez's sacking by Real Madrid

HEADLINES

Daily Newsletter

MORE STORIES

Daily Newsletter