Zinedine Zidane returns to coach Real Madrid

Real Madrid says the former France great has accepted an offer to replace Santiago Solari, signing a contract until June 2022

FILE - In this Tuesday, June 12, 2018 file photo, Former Real Madrid head coach Zinedine Zidane acknowledges applause as he arrives for a charity soccer match at the U Arena in Nanterre, north of Paris, France.

Zinedine Zidane is returning to coach Real Madrid, the club he led to three straight Champions League titles.

Real Madrid says the former France great has accepted an offer to replace Santiago Solari, signing a contract until June 2022.

The coaching change comes less than a week after two losses to Barcelona and another to Ajax. The results eliminated the club from the Champions League and the Copa del Rey, and ended its hopes of winning the Spanish league.

Spanish television channel La Sexta was the first to report Zidane’s return. The official announcement came after the board of directors met on Monday in Madrid.