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Frenchman Zinedine Zidane has been appointed as coach at Real Madrid FC, replacing Rafa Benitez. Former boss Benitez was dismissed on Monday less than halfway through the season after a poor run of results left the club trailing leaders Atletico Madrid and second-placed Barcelona in La Liga. Zidane has been coach of the club's B team, who are second in the Spanish third tier since 2014. It will be the French World Cup winner's first top-flight management role. His first game in charge will be Saturday's La Liga game at home to 7th placed Deportivo La Coruna.