Real Madrid have a new manager.

After a few weeks of rumours following Zinedine Zidane's surprise departure, Los Blancos have handed one of football's most prestigious jobs to current Spain boss Julen Lopetegui.

He'd actually agreed a contract extension with La Roja until 2020 on May 22, but it's near enough impossible for any ambitious coach to turn down the Champions League holders.

The hire has gone down very well, with Lopetegui turning Spain back into the force they were back in 2012 after a disastrous 2014 World Cup and a sub-standard Euro 2016 under Vicente Del Bosque.

Isco, Marco Asensio, Sergio Ramos and Nacho Fernandez will all be very familiar with the new boss and the former two will probably get even more first-team opportunities next season.

It will also be interesting to see how Lopetegui copes with Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo, with both superstars' futures under question.

Ronaldo in particular looks on the cusp of departing the Bernabeu and Lopetegui's quotes on his arch rival Lionel Messi from November probably won't sit too well with him.

When asked by the media whether he thought Messi was the best player of all time, Lopetegui replied: "He's the best player in history, I agree."

We can picture the look on Ronaldo's face right now.

The new Real boss also spoke about Messi before Spain's friendly and this time he used a different phrase to describe the Argentine.

"I think it's a beautiful fixture against Argentina, in an amazing stadium, and against the runners-up of the World Cup, and where one of the best players in the history [Messi] of football will be playing," he said.

He describes him as 'one of the best', which is probably what Ronaldo would prefer to hear. Sadly, you can't undo the past, Julen.

After the World Cup, it will be interesting to see how the new Real boss acts in the transfer market. Will he pursue Neymar and Eden Hazard? Or will he offer more chances to the Spanish core at the club?