7 reasons why Solari should be named the permanent manager of Real Madrid

#5 The previous appointment in such manner proved immensely successful

Zidane is the most successful manager in Real Madrid's recent history

In late 2015, Real Madrid was in turmoil, battered 4-0 by Barcelona at the Bernabeu and dumped out of the Copa Del Rey in comical circumstances after fielding an ineligible player.

Rafa Benitez was relieved off his appointment barely six months into it, big money signings were struggling to perform and alarm bells had started ringing at a club who had three of the five most expensive players in history at that time barely one year on from winning the much sought after La Decima.

In step Zidane. The Frenchman had made a name for himself at the Bernabeu, with his legacy as one of the greatest players in history stamped at the club whom he represented with distinction for five success-laden years between 2001 and 2006, but his mettle as a coach had not been proven, as his only experience had come as assistant to Carlo Ancelotti and manager of the youth sides.

To put it succinctly, his appointment was an uninspiring one at the time, which was seen more as a stop-gap until the end of the season when Perez could make a marquee managerial appointment.

What followed was the most spectacular performance by a manager in the club’s recent history, as Zidane guided the club to three trophies in less than ten months in charge, becoming the first coach to win the successfully defend the Champions League, before extending the record to a third consecutive time in May. In total, his two and a half year tenure as Real Madrid coach yielded nine trophies.

Two years later, Solari finds himself in similar circumstances to his former teammate, and if Real Madrid can take a leap of faith on him like they did with Zidane, the club could end up being better for it.