Zinedine Zidane promises to make up for his lack of coaching experience by inspiring Real Madrid to play with the same attacking flair he displayed during his playing career.
"Football with a personal touch, with attacking play, is what I'll aim for," the France great said at a news conference today, a day after replacing the fired Rafa Benitez as Madrid coach.
"A coach is never really prepared, least of all one who hasn't coached before. But I am motivated, excited, and that is going to ensure that things go well," he said.
"I always believe that it's important to play attractive, but balanced football, and I am going to work to get that on the pitch."
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The 43-year-old Zidane, a three-time world player of the year and former Real Madrid star, coached Real Madrid's reserve team in Spain's third division for the past year and a half.
He agreed to the promotion to coach the first team for the rest of this season, plus two more years.
Zidane's first game as coach will be on Saturday against Deportivo La Coruna in the Spanish league. Madrid trails leader Atletico Madrid by four points, and is two points behind defending champion Barcelona, which has a game in hand.
Zidane said he would continue to play star forwards Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale, although he said Bale was not happy with Benitez's firing.
"I understand Gareth may be upset at Rafa's departure, but he will be treated with affection. He's a fundamental player," Zidane said.
Zidane was named manager on Monday when Benitez was fired midway through his first season.
Benitez showed no hard feelings for his replacement in an open letter on his personal website.
"I would like to wish good luck to Zinedine Zidane, my successor, and his staff," Benitez wrote.
As recent predecessors Mourinho, Ancelotti, and now Benitez, all learned, Madrid president Florentino Perez will accept nothing short of a major title at the end of each season.
That means Zidane must find a way to topple Barcelona as either European or Spanish champion. Barcelona has dominated both competitions, with four Champions League trophies in the last decade and five Liga crowns to Madrid's
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