Madrid confirm Solaris as manager
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its a great opportunity and its a great club solari said. i dont just say that now as coach of the first team. ive been here with other teams ive played and sweated in the shirt of this club1 interim real madrid manager santiago solari was appointed permanent coach on monday after overseeing a startling upturn in the european champions fortunes since he stepped in to replace julen lopetegui1 solari has led real to four wins out of four since being installed on a caretaker basis following lopeteguis abrupt sacking last month1 and with 15 goals scored and only two conceded he has established the best ever start for a real manager1 after thrashing melilla in the copa del rey they won 5-0 away to viktoria plzen in the champions league between victories over real valladolid and celta vigo in la liga1 the upturn has left madrid only four points adrift of league leaders barcelona and on the brink of qualification for the last 16 in europe1 solari who spent five years playing for real was promoted from his role in charge of castilla the clubs b team after lopetegui had overseen a miserable run that included just one victory in seven games1 the last of those a 5-1 thumping at the hands of barcelona proved the final straw for club president florentino perez but the team have rebounded under their new coach1 solari is perezs 13th manager in 15 seasons across two seperate periods at the santiago bernabeu1 he has done excellently madrid club director emilio butragueno said on sunday night. we are very happy with how things have gone1 few could argue with the results which have now earned solari the chance to prove himself over a longer period1 great opportunity1 afpfile toru yamanaka santiago solari rejects comparisons with former real madrid manager zinedine zidane he indicated in his opening press conference that he was open to keeping the job full-time.1 everything is in order. real madrid have worked out his contract and there are no problems the spanish football federation stated1 madrid is bigger than all of us but it touches us all with its greatness. i want to be a part of it1 zinedine zidane also stepped up mid-season from coaching castilla in 2016 and led the team to champions league glory five months later1 solari has played down the comparisons with zidane who commanded instant respect owing to his glittering playing career and long-established status at the club enhancing his status as a real legend by winning three consecutive champions league crowns1 hes one of the greatest things weve ever had at this club solari said last month. hes very calm a great coach and nobody can compare to him1 the challenge for solari will be to manage the dressing room when results take a turn for the worse1 after the international break madrids generous run of games continues with league matches against eibar valencia huesca rayo vallecano and villarreal before christmas none of whom currently reside in la ligas top half1 they will also play roma in italy and cska moscow at home in the champions league two games likely to settle who goes through top of group g1 solari was only allowed two weeks as an interim coach according to spanish regulations meaning sundays trip to celta vigo was always likely to precede a decision on his future1 it proved an impressive final audition as madrid struck a 4-2 victory with solari having to adapt to a handful of injury problems during the game1 well go to the death with him hes a great coach and of course we want him to continue madrid defender alvaro odriozola said afterwards1 this will be solaris maiden job in charge of a first team1 antonio conte mauricio pochettino jose mourinho and joachim low had all been linked to the position with fresh approaches still possible next summer1