Real Madrid launched astonishing move to appoint Pep Guardiola as manager before hiring Zinedine Zidane

Benitez was sacked in January of this year, before Guardiola agreed to join Man City

Guardiola has gone six games without a win for the first time ever (Getty)

Real Madrid launched a spectacular attempt to lure Barcelona legend Pep Guardiola to the Bernabeu to replace Rafa Benitez as manager last season.

Guardiola’s intention to leave Bayern Munich was well known during his final season with the Bundesliga champions and club president Florentino Perez made a stunning attempt to bring him back to La Liga, with Benitez struggling in his short tenure at the club.

Benitez was sacked in January by the club and replaced by Zinedine Zidane, but Madrid are reported to have first approached Guardiola in November – two month before the former Liverpool manager was relieved of his duties.

The revelation was confirmed by the Manchester City boss’ biographer and close friend Marti Perarnau.

"Real Madrid called Pep Guardiola to try and tempt him last November, before they sacked Benitez," Perarnau revealed on Spanish radio station Cadena Ser.

"Madrid contacted [Josep Maria] Orobitg, Guardiola's agent, in order to try and contract him.

"But from the start it was out of the question. I was there."

Zidane won the Champions League in his first season (Getty)

Benitez ended up finding out about his sacking through friends in the media trying to confirm whether it was true or not as Zidane was promoted from youth team coach to first-team head coach.

Zidane’s promotion up the Real Madrid ranks was similar to that of Guardiola’s, who took over the manager’s job after coaching Barcelona’s second side.

The Frenchman won the Champions League in his first season in charge and has guided Madrid to top of La Liga this season – one of only two teams to remain undefeated.