Santiago Solari takes over at Real Madrid and has 'cojones' to do the job full-time

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Ben Hayward30 October 2018

Santiago Solari chose his words carefully. The former Argentine midfielder is Real Madrid’s new coach, albeit on an interim basis for now, though he did little to hide his intentions as he met the media on Tuesday.

The 42-year-old takes over provisionally from Julen Lopetegui, who lasted only 14 competitive matches in the job and was sacked on Monday night, and will lead out Los Blancos in the Copa del Rey clash against Melilla on Wednesday.

Ahead of that match, the current Castilla coach took training with the first team at Valdebebas and, after a considerable delay, he spoke in a press conference at the club’s training ground.

Asked what his idea for the Real Madrid is, he said: “The idea is to go to Melilla tomorrow and play with two ‘cojones’. That’s the idea we have.”

In Pictures | Santiago Solari leads Real Madrid training | 30/10/2018

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It takes ‘cojones’ to manage Madrid, a club where a coach can win three Champions Leagues in a row, as Zidane did, or be brutally sacked just 14 games into the season. Like Lopetegui.

But Solari has been preparing for this. The Argentine has over five years' experience working with Madrid’s youth sides and two with Castilla, where he was preceded by Zidane.

It is natural he will be compared to his former Real team-mate and was asked if he saw himself as another Zidane on Tuesday, but he said: “Leave Zizou in peace! He’s one of the great figures for Madrid. There are no adjectives for him.

"Better to leave him alone, in his greatness, and not compare anybody to him because he is incomparable.”

AFP/Getty Images

Although careful to avoid contradicting Madrid’s statement saying he was only a “provisional” choice, Solari did hint that he would love the job on a permanent basis.

“Working with Madrid is a great opportunity and it’s a beautiful job,” he said. “Wherever it is, not just as coach of the first team. I have sweated for the shirt to the last drop, as others have who are no longer here.

“Madrid includes us in its greatness, it surpasses us all but includes us at the same time.”

AFP/Getty Images

The son of a former footballer and coach, Eduardo Solari, Santiago is a popular figure within the club, where he won seven trophies as a player between 2000 and 2005 – including the Champions League in 2001-2002.

Initially, senior members of the Real squad had been against his appointment, but he now has an opportunity to win them around.

Asked about that by a radio journalist, he said: “I was with the squad today and they don’t look at anyone with distrust. They want to win. That’s what I felt today. This is a team of champions. They are warriors who have given so much to this club.

“This moment is not easy and it’s delicate. But it is in these moments when you see the character.”

AFP/Getty Images

Solari is thrust into the spotlight in a difficult moment, although there is seldom an easy time to take over as Madrid coach.

The Argentine can only be an interim option for up to two weeks due to La Liga rules, although Real could solve the problem by handing him a longer contract when that time has elapsed.

And with a move for former Chelsea manager Antonio Conte having broken down, there are not really any other top-level coaches available right now for Real.

PA

That may just work in Solari’s favour and however long he is there, he seems determined to make the most of it.

“All of us are passing through,” he said. “In life and in this profession even more so. Everything goes ever faster. The important thing is the day to day, what we do and the excitement we put into it.

"But it’s also like that for the footballers, with different rhythms. The important thing is what you do in every training session, every match, every minute. That’s what matters.”

Zidane used to say similar. Because at Real Madrid, the nature and pressure of the job means no coach is likely to last the long run.

But Solari spoke passionately and confidently and, as with the Frenchman, the Argentine looks like he has the ‘cojones’ to step up to the top table after five years preparing in the shadows.

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