Rafael Benitez leaves Real Madrid in third place in La Liga, four points off city rivals Atletico at the top and two behind Barcelona, who have a game in hand.

In his last match, a 2-2 draw at Valencia, Benitez appeared to anger goalscorer Karim Benzema when substituting him.

Real won 11 of their 18 league games under Benitez, losing three. 

Image source, Getty Images

Well what do you make of that news?

Have Real Madrid made the right decision in getting rid of Rafael Benitez? Will Zinedine Zidane be a success at the Bernabeu? Should the players or the president take some of the blame?

Get involved and let us know your thoughts via Twitter #bbcsportsday

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Dressed in a blue suit with a white shirt, former France forward Zinedine Zidane has made a short speech as Real Madrid's new head coach.

He then poses with his family for some pictures.

Real Madrid have sacked Rafael Benitez and appointed Zinedine Zidane as the new head coach.

We're still awaiting, but we have some movement...

Looks like it is about to start...

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is keeping us waiting.

He is now 25 minutes late for his press conference, which was due to start at 18:30 GMT.

Just to recap it has been reported that Real are going to announce the sacking of manager Rafael Benitez.

Real are currently third in La Liga, four points behind leaders Atletico Madrid and into the last 16 of the Champions League.

If Rafael Benítez does get the sack, he will be the 11th coach to have been dismissed by president Florentino Perez.

Perez is currently in his second term at the Bernabeu, the first from 2000-06 and the second began in 2009.

We are still waiting for Florentino Perez to make his appearance at the Bernabeu.

We're hearing from a few journalists that the Real Madrid president will not be taking any questions.

Spanish football journalist Sid Lowe is at the Bernabeu for Real Madrid's press conference which is about to start any minute now...

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Two NFL franchises have fired their coaches on a day in the calendar known as 'Black Monday' as a result of its history of witnessing sackings.

The San Francisco 49ers dismissed Jim Tomsula, 47, after only a year in charge as they slumped to a 5-11 record to finish bottom of the NFC West.

The Cleveland Browns split with coach Mike Pettine and manager Ray Farmer.

Pettine, 49, coached the Browns for under a year but their 3-13 record saw them finish bottom of the AFC North.

Chepstow clerk of the course Keith Ottesen is "more than hopeful" the Coral Welsh Grand National meeting will go ahead at the second attempt on Saturday.

The fixture had to be abandoned due to waterlogging when originally due to take place on 27 December, but was rescheduled. 

The official going at the Monmouthshire circuit remains heavy, but forecasts for the coming days are giving Ottesen reason to be optimistic.

Fifa's suspended general secretary Jerome Valcke will learn his fate on Tuesday when the world football governing body's internal court meets to discuss his case. 

Valcke was suspended for 90 days from all football-related activity on 8 October over corruption allegations. 

His ban is due to end on Tuesday but Fifa's court could decide to extend his suspension by another 45 days.

Valcke denies any wrongdoing. 

Image source, Getty Images

The Guardian reports, external that Lokomotiv Moscow striker Oumar Niasse is set for a £15m January move to the Premier League.

Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur have looked at the 25-year-old.

Everton, Newcastle United and Aston Villa are also keen on the Senegal international, who has been voted the Russian Premier League’s player of 2015.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

James Haskell has extended his contract with Wasps.

Haskell, this season's co-captain alongside Matt Mullan, has agreed to extend his second spell at the Coventry-based club after his current deal was due to expire in the summer.

Since his debut in 2002, the 30-year-old England back row has made 160 appearances for Wasps and has amassed 62 caps including appearances at two World Cups.

Sheffield United say striker Marc McNulty will remain with League Two side Portsmouth until the end of the season.

The 23-year-old initially joined Pompey on loan in November and the paperwork has now been completed for him to stay at Fratton Park until the summer.

The Scot has scored six times in 11 appearances.

Image source, EPA

In case you are wondering about the future of Real Madrid coach Rafa Benitez, who looks to be on his way out of the Bernabeu, the club have called a news conference for 18:30 GMT.

There have been reports in Spain this afternoon that the former Liverpool and Chelsea manager has been sacked.

Richard Johnson has reached his 3,000th career success after St Saviour claimed victory at Ludlow on Monday.

The 38-year-old now needs just four more wins to reach 3,000 over jumps (he has four Flat wins) with Sir Tony McCoy the only other rider to achieve that feat.

Johnson is virtually assured of his first jockeys' title in April after finishing second to McCoy on 16 occasions.

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Derby County have signed Guinea international Abdoul Camara from French Ligue 1 side Angers for a fee believed to be £1.25m.

The 25-year-old can play on the left wing or up front and has agreed a three-and-a-half-year contract. 

Camara told told BBC Radio Derby: "I am happy to be here. Playing in England is my dream. I am ready to be here.

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Five Para-swimmers will make their senior Great Britain debuts in the  IPC Swimming Open European Championship which takes place from 30 April-8 May in Funchal, Madeira. 

Lewis White, Michael Jones, Rebecca Redfern, Ellie Robinson and Zara Mullooly are all in the 25-strong team.

Bethany Firth, Jonathan Fox and Steph Slater, who missed last summer's World Championships because of injury, return to the international scene.

South Africa flanker Schalk Burger has agreed to join Aviva Premiership champions Saracens on a two-year deal from next season. 

The 32-year-old back row will arrive after spells at Japanese club Suntory Sungoliath and Super Rugby province Stormers.

Burger has won 86 caps and played at four World Cups, including the Springboks' win in 2007.

Image source, Getty Images