The sacking of Rafa Benitez brought very different reactions from the Real Madrid players. While Gareth Bale took stock of his future at the club and pondered Manchester United’s long-standing interest, James Rodriguez was throwing cartwheels at the news that Zinedine Zidane would now coach him.
Here, Sportsmail looks at what the changing of the guard at the Santiago Bernabeu means for the big players.
Cristiano Ronaldo
No one was more upset about Carlo Ancelotti leaving than Ronaldo and the frosty welcome he gave Benitez was reciprocated when prompted by the club’s hierarchy – he publicly played down Ronaldo’s importance to the team.
He also tried to move him to a centre-forward position only for Ronaldo to resist the change.
That said, Ronaldo is the consummate professional and Benitez never saw him as a problem in the dressing room. The Portuguese performs whoever the manager is and that will not change under Zidane who has already said that the BBC front three, of which Cristiano forms part with Bale and Karim Benzema is non negotiable.
Gareth Bale
Bale’s recent form has been excellent.
Bale enjoyed working for Rafa and feels let down by the club that because certain other players were not so happy, a change has been made. He will review his position at Madrid at the end of the season depending on how things go under Zidane.
Bale needs space on the pitch. Whether he finds that playing centrally behind a centre forward with the freedom to make diagonal runs to either flank, or if he finds out starting out wide is not the deal breaker.
What is important is that he is not crowded out by Madrid’s cast of No 10 role or shackled with defensive responsibilities as he was under Anclelotti last season.
James Rodriguez
No one was happier to see the back of Benitez than Rodriguez. The two failed to hit it off from the start. Benitez felt Rodriguez believed he already knew it all and Rodriguez felt that Benitez came in trying to teach top players how to play. The Colombian midfielder will now feel that he has a coach who understands him having been a similar player himself.
What James really needs if he is to shine, however, is for one of the front three to be sacrificed so that he can play with more attacking freedom and Zidane has already said that that is not going to happen.
Perhaps life will not be as sweet for Rodriguez under Zidane as he is hoping.
Sergio Ramos
Ramos, like Ronaldo, never wanted Ancelotti sacked and so the welcome for Benitez was a cold one.
The strain on their relationship showed when Real Madrid went to Atletico Madrid earlier in the season and drew 1-1 with Ramos conceding a first-half penalty. Benitez publicly criticised him after the game and Ramos hit back just as publicly.
Benitez sought out his captain and asked him to show more solidarity with his manager and greater leadership. There was no change in attitude. Ramos loves Zidane and the relationship between coach and captain will be one of the cornerstones of the new Madrid.
Karim Benzema
Zidane has been a rock for Benzema in the past and there is no reason to believe that will change now he is head coach.
The Frenchman’s place is assured in that BBC front three and just as Bale enjoyed the added advantage that Benitez could speak to him in English, which will now be a perk for Benzema.
Isco
The irony of Isco’s frustration with Benitez because he was not in the team is that whoever is in charge at Madrid it is very difficult for them to find a regular place in the starting line-up for him.
Isco is a very accomplished attacker but so are Bale, Benzema, Rodriguez and Ronaldo. How many of the same type of player can a coach put in the same team?
Luka Modric
After saying that Bale, Benzema and Ronaldo would definitely play, Zidane was asked about Modric’s role and he said: ‘We’ll see’.
Again his level of participation will depend on the system. In a 4-2-3-1 he would partner Kroos but in a 4-3-3 he would have to compete with Isco and James to play on the right or the left of the German.
Raphael Varane
It was Zidane who brought Varane to the club – which is enough to make you think there is a level of long-term planning at Real Madrid (something that we know just doesn’t exist).
Varane actually asked Zidane to call back later, doubtful that it really was France’s most famous World Cup winner on the other end of the line. He did call back and Varane did move to the Spanish capital.
Fitness allowing, Varane will now partner Ramos in the heart of Real Madrid’s defence.
Pepe
Pepe’s future looks uncertain unless Varane’s injury problems prevent him playing regularly. Pepe was one of those desperate for things to work out for Benitez – above all because he feared that Jose Mourinho might return.
The Portugal international could be on his way out of Madrid at the end of the season as he turns 33 years next month and will look for one last big contract before retirement.
Under the right manager he still has plenty to offer. He has a decent enough relationship with Zidane but it will not be enough to see him gradually sidelined over the coming months.
Toni Kroos
No one’s form has dipped more this season than Kroos. He looks a shadow of the player who won practically everything inside a year in 2014.
Zidane needs to get him back on track but with the sacred front three starting every game and offensive players such as Isco and Rodriguez lined up for midfield roles the German’s workload is not going to get any lighter.
