APL

Real Madrid has sacked Rafa Benitez after falling four points behind rival Atletico Madrid at the top of La Liga, with Zinedine Zidane tabbed as his successor.

The 32-time Spanish champions were held to a 2-2 draw by Valencia on Sunday and Benitez was dismissed following a board meeting held Monday afternoon.

Zinedine Zidane, who currently manages Madrid's "B" team, has taken over with the first team.

The Spaniard has struggled to win over supporters after replacing Carlo Ancelotti over the summer and Madrid could fall five points behind Barcelona if the defending champions win their game in hand.

Real cruised through its Champions League group, winning five of its six matches and scoring 19 goals, but suffered embarrassment in the Copa del Rey when it was disqualified for fielding an ineligible player.

Benitez's position came under scrutiny in November when Madrid suffered back-to-back defeats against Sevilla and Barcelona, the latter a 4-0 humbling at home to its greatest rival.

The former Liverpool and Napoli manager enjoyed an 8-0 victory over Malmo in the Champions League and a 10-2 thrashing of RayoVallecano, but defeat to Villarreal and the draw at Valencia has cost him his position.