Barcelona boss Luis Enrique unsurprised by Real Madrid sacking Rafael Benitez
Luis Enrique was unsurprised by Real Madrid's sacking of Rafael Benitez. The Barcelona coach, 45, thinks a manager's position is always precarious in modern day football and despite Benitez losing just three of his 25 games in charge at the Bernabeu, Enrique wasn't shocked by the decision.
The Champions League-winning boss said he doesn't think the dismissal was unfair. He also admitted managers have been told during coaching courses to accept sackings as an occupational hazard.
"I was not surprised by Real Madrid's decision to dismiss Benitez," Enrique told a news conference on 5 January, according to FourFourTwo. "That is the way things go in modern day football. This is nothing new. I do not think it is unfair on coaches. It is a risk that comes with the profession. We are all made aware of this when we do our coaching courses. We know this can happen and all accept it.
"It is a shame for those who get the sack, while it is something positive for the one who gets the job. We all go through a situation like this at some point in our career."
Benitez has been replaced as Real's coach by three-time World Footballer of the Year Zinedine Zidane. However, given the Frenchman's lack of coaching experience, Enrique admitted Zidane is an unknown quantity. He said: "I don't know what to expect from Zidane. I do not know him as a coach."
Real currently sit third in the La Liga table following their 2-2 draw with Valencia on 3 January, four points adrift of Atletico Madrid and two points behind their eternal rivals Barcelona. Real are also set to face Italian giants Roma in the Champions League last 16 phase next month.
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