Zinedine Zidane Returns as Real Madrid Manager After Club Fires Santiago Solari

Real Madrid have once again appointed Zinedine Zidane as manager, with the Frenchman signing a contract until 2022 after replacing Santiago Solari at the helm.

Los Blancos published a statement via the club website (in Spanish) announcing Zidane's return to the club after leaving in May 2018:

ESPN FC's Dermot Corrigan provided a translation, confirming Zidane had agreed a deal that will keep him at the Santiago Bernabeu until June 2022:

The club legend who led Real to three successive UEFA Champions League triumphs left the Bernabeu at the end of last season but has returned to steady the ship, with Los Blancos set to end this season without a trophy.

Zidane addressed the media on Monday evening alongside president Florentino Perez, who said "the best coach in the world is returning to Real Madrid." 

When asked why he had decided to come back to the Bernabeu, Zidane said he loved "the president and the club very much," adding:

"The first thing that entered my head when I got the phone call asking me to come back? I'll come back - and here I am.

“The feelings are good, I am happy to be back. I didn’t go too far, as I live here, but I am happy to work with this great club and this squad above all..

"I know this is a special day for everyone. I'm very happy to return here and that's the most important thing. I will be starting work tomorrow to put this club back where it deserves to be."

In the 10 months since his departure, Real have struggled to find anything close to the same outcome with successors Julen Lopetegui or Solari, leading president Florentino Perez to turn back to Zidane.

Real recently lost back-to-back Clasico clashes against bitter rivals Barcelona and were then ousted from the Champions League round of 16 by Ajax, ending their European defence in sour fashion.

The 46-year-old replaced Rafa Benitez in January 2016 when the club were in crisis, and he has again been appointed midway through a season—though with far greater expectations this time around.

Squawka posted a timeline of how events have unfolded at the Bernabeu since Zidane parted ways with his old club: 

Cristiano Ronaldo's departure from Real has also been a major factor in their fall from glory this season. Los Blancos are third in La Liga, 12 points off leaders Barca and five from Atletico Madrid in second.

They were also knocked out of the Copa del Rey semi-finals by Barca and won only two of their last six matches, leading to intense pressure on Solari. 

Rather than persist with the Argentinian, the club has decided to bring Zidane back to salvage what's left of the current campaign but also plan for the future.

Questions were raised as to why Zidane left Real Madrid not long after becoming the first coach to win three Champions League medals, and the Frenchman was enigmatic on the matter when he announced his exit, via ESPN:

Certain senior players at Real haven't performed as hoped this season, including the likes of Marcelo and Toni Kroos, but Zidane will look to bring a sense of familiarity to the team that ran to such success in recent years.

The former Real Castilla coach displayed an instant knack for the role at Real, via UEFA:

Solari's last game in charge of Real was Sunday's 4-1 league win at Real Valladolid.

Zidane—who also won La Liga (2017) and two FIFA Club World Cups (2016-17)—could be back in the Bernabeu dugout as soon as Saturday when Real will host struggling Celta Vigo.