Zinedine Zidane is back as Real Madrid manager, signing a contract until June 30, 2022.

Shock reports from Spain emerged on Monday afternoon that Zidane had agreed to take over from Santiago Solari at the Bernabeu.

Los Blancos have suffered a nightmare March with defeats to Barcelona in the Copa del Rey semi final and La Liga, leaving them 12 points off the top.

And when they lost 4-1 to Ajax in their Champions League last-16 second leg, there was no way back for Solari.

Sunday’s 4-1 win against Valladolid did nothing to save his job.

But now, Zidane is back at the helm just 10 months after leaving the club.

The Frenchman led Real to three consecutive Champions League titles before announcing his decision to leave.

But when he left, Zidane hinted that he could return one day.

“Of course, I could return, I’ll always be near to this club as it’s close to my heart,” he said back in May.

He probably didn’t expect it to be quite so soon, though.

A statement on the official website said: "The Board of Directors of Real Madrid, meeting today, Monday, March 11, 2019, has decided to terminate the contract that linked Santiago Solari with the club as coach of the first team and, at the same time, Real Madrid has offered to continue belonging to the club.

"Real Madrid appreciates the work done by Santiago Solari and the commitment and loyalty he has always shown to this house.

"The Board of Directors has also agreed the appointment of Zinedine Zidane as the new coach of Real Madrid with immediate incorporation for the remainder of the season and the next three, until June 30, 2022.

"The president of Real Madrid will appear today with Zinedine Zidane before the media at 8:00 pm in the press room of the Santiago Bernabéu stadium."