Rafa Benitez’s stint at Real Madrid turned out to last for only 7 months, as he failed to redeem the faith that the officials had in him. Goalkeeper Keylor Navas recently stated that the team were doing the ‘wrong thing’s under the former manager and were now enjoying working under new coach Zinedine Zidane.
Benitez arrived at the Santiago Bernabeu at the beginning of the season amidst much fanfare, but he was sacked unceremoniously by Real Madrid at the beginning of the new year, with the biggest highlight of Benitez’ career being a 4-0 drubbing by Barcelona in his last El Clasico.
His sacking received mixed reactions from players and pundits, with some claiming that his performance wasn’t bad enough to warrant such a quick dismissal. One of his former key players has admitted that the club were doing the wrong things under the Spanish manager.
“We are all aware that we had to take a breath, look back, and say we were doing the wrong things,” 26-year-old Real goalkeeper Keylor Navas was quoted as saying by Spanish publication El Hormiguero. [via: fourfourtwo.com]
Zizou leads the way
Benitez was succeeded by former Real Madrid player and legend Zinedine Zidane. The Frenchman didn’t have any previous experience at the helm of a big club, but seems to have made an impact on the team. Zizou has lead them to two big wins since taking over, with 5 goals in each game.
“With Zidane the team feels like if we win, we all win, and if we lose, we all lose,” Navas said about the atmosphere the new manager has instilled at the club.
“How do I see the team? With confidence, with will. We have to fight until the end and we will get there with options.”
The Costa Rican also praised Zizou’s respectful manner and sense of humour, but maintained that the team had to return that respect and take training sessions seriously.
