MADRID, SPAIN - JANUARY 04: Zinedine Zidane gives a speech to the media after being announced as new Real Madrid head coach at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on January 4, 2016 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)

Rafa Benitez has been sacked as manager of Real Madrid and replaced by Zinedine Zidane.

Madrid sacked Benitez less than half a season in charge, despite the former Liverpool boss being contracted until June 2018.

"Firstly I would like to thank the club and the president for giving me the chance to coach this team," Zidane told reporters.

"What we need to do now, and what I will try to do, is try to do my best so that this team is a winner at the end of the season.

The club did not specify the length of Zidane's contract.