Real Madrid confirm Solari's contract until 2021

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Real Madrid officially confirmed Tuesday the appointment of Argentine coach Santiago Solari after a successful two-week interim. He is now linked with the club for two seasons and a half, until 2021.

This two-and-a-half year contract is a good sign of confidence for the former coach of the reserve (42 years old): he has made a dramatic recovery in the trajectory of the first team (four wins in four matches) and sees himself having the opportunity to show talents in the long run.

"The steering committee of Real Madrid has decided to appoint Santiago Solari coach of the first team until June 30, 2021," the club wrote in a statement. The Spanish federation (RFEF) on Monday had anticipated by informing the AFP of the homologation of the contract of the Argentine.

Appointed at the end of October after humiliation in the Clasico in Barcelona (5-1), the brown-haired coach was supposed to succeed "temporarily" Julen Lopetegui, sacked for lack of results.

But there were not many coaches available in the market during the season and after two weeks in the job, the Argentine convinced the players, the fans and the leaders with his smiling and determined style ... and his results.

Without fault

Real Madrid players celebrate victory over Celta in La Liga match, November 11, 2018. /VCG Photo

The victory against Celta Vigo on Sunday (4-2), the first poster of a previously rather favorable schedule for Solari, has confirmed its impact on the dynamics of Madrid: after five defeats over the last seven matches of the Julen Lopetegui era, Real has rebounded.

"Solari has a good star," titled Monday the sports daily Marca, the most read of Spain, with this comment: "The Real has found his strike force." Same observation for the daily As: "Solari deserved to continue."

Under the direction of the Argentinian, the team scored 15 goals and conceded only two, the best start in history for a coach from Real in his first four games.

In the wake of the Barcelona leader's game Sunday against Betis Sevilla (4-3), the "White House" has even come back to just four lengths from the lead of the Spanish Championship. And in the Champions League, she is close to qualifying for the eighth before going to face AS Roma on 27 November.

Off the field, it is also a clear fault for the former merengue environment (2000-2005): Zidane's former teammate is following in the footsteps of the Frenchman, who went from the reserve to the first team in 2016 before winning three C1s in a row.

Zidane way

Santiago Solari (L) and his teammate Zinedine Zidane of Real Madrid show off the team's new uniform during its press preview at a Tokyo hotel, July 28, 2004. /VCG Photo

Argentina's benevolent communication works well in the highly flammable environment of the Real, while his ephemeral predecessor Julen Lopetegui seemed brittle and frowning at a press conference.

And beyond the chosen vocabulary that does not look like this very cultured man, Solari was able to dose his statements: either to protect the Brazilian nugget Vinicius or to sting the Welsh star, Gareth Bale.

His management of the group seems clever, Zidane way, with more diplomacy than grip. Accustomed to working with the young people of Real on the bank of the reserve (2016-2018), the Argentinean technician has made a name for himself by trusting young side Sergio Reguilon and Alvaro Odriozola.

As for Vinicius (18), he symbolizes the change of atmosphere in Madrid: recruited for 45 million euros but confined to the reserve under Lopetegui, he had his first tenure with Solari, scored a goal and delivered two assists.

It remains to be seen whether the Argentine, the 13th coach appointed by President Florentino Pérez, will be able to hold permanently on the ejectable bench of Real. "It's a position that involves great responsibilities, obviously, whether for a day, a half-hour or a week, but it's not new to me, I spent 11 years in this club, various positions, "he said last week.

Solari's first challenge should be to retain the title of world club champion, put into play by Madrid's next month in the United Arab Emirates from December 12 to 22.

Source(s): AFP