REAL Madrid named former Brazil manager Vanderlei Luxemburgo as their third coach of the season last week in a bid to recapture the form that has brought them a record nine European Cups.

　　The surprise appointment of Luxemburgo comes at the end of a disappointing year for Real Madrid, whose fans demand constant success. Luxemburgo might be the man to turn things around; he has just led Santos to the Brazilian domestic league title.

　　Luxemburgo’s appointment ends the three-month reign of Mariano Garcia Remon, who replaced former Spanish national coach Jose Antonio Camacho. Camacho stepped down after just four months in the job.

　　"It’s not been an easy decision but...we think it is the best decision right now for Real Madrid," said club vice-president Emilio Butragueno.

　　"It’s a great responsibility for me...but I’m not afraid of responsibility," Luxemburgo said, adding that every coach wanted to manage Real Madrid.

　　Club officials said Luxemburgo had signed an 18-month contract.

　　Luxemburgo said he believed success in football was built on discipline, unity, hard work and professionalism as he prepared to take charge of a team that includes Ronaldo and Roberto Carlos as well as Zinedine Zidane, Raul, Luis Figo, David Beckham and Michael Owen.

　　Despite their star-studded squad, Real ended last season without a major trophy for the first time in five years. And the team have dropped to fifth in the Primera Liga this season, 13 points behind arch rivals Barcelona.

　　Luxemburgo has a difficult task to get the team back on track.