Zinedine Zidane takes Real Madrid practice for the first time as 6,000 supporters flock to their Valdebebas HQ to watch their new manager get down to work with Cristiano Ronaldo and co

Thousands of Real Madrid supporters applauded Zinedine Zidane at the Valdebebas training ground as he put his players through their paces for the first time since being appointed manager until at least the end of the season.

The 43-year-old was announced as Rafa Benitez's replacement on Monday in a decision which has ignited excitement among fans.

The Frenchman, preparing his side for his first match in charge against seventh-placed Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday at the Bernabeu, did not have Gareth Bale in attendance at the open session.

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Zinedina Zidane (left) and Cristiano Ronaldo pictured in training after the Frenchman replaced Rafa Benitez as manager of Madrid

Ronaldo removes his bib in training as Zidane begins preparations for Madrid's match against Deportivo La Coruna

Ronaldo hands his new manager his bib during training at the Valdebebas complex in Madrid on Tuesday

Thousands of Madrid supporters were in attendance to watch Zidane work with the Madrid squad for the first time as manager

The Madrid supporters were quick to signal their approval, cheering and applauding as Zidane walked out to take training

Madrid manager Zidane talks to fellow Frenchman Karim Benzema during a training session on Tuesday

Zidane, the new Real Madrid manager until at least the end of the season, discusses team tactics with Ronaldo

Madrid supporters flocked to the club's training ground to watch Zidane at work with the team for the first time

Bale is believed to be doing gym work away from the team after sustaining some muscle tweaks in the 2-2 draw with Valencia, in which he scored Madrid's second. He was the only senior player not to take part in Zidane's first session, watched by 6,000 fans.

The Welshman has already been linked with a move away from Madrid and could potentially head back to England after Benitez's departure.

Former Liverpool, Chelsea and Napoli boss Benitez left Madrid after only seven months in charge, overseeing 25 games and 17 victories. 

Madrid are third in La Liga, two points behind Barcelona and four behind leaders Atletico Madrid. Barcelona have a game in hand on both Madrid clubs due to their participation in the Club World Cup.

Benitez's last game was the 2-2 draw with Gary Neville's Valencia at Mestalla on Sunday as they missed the chance to move level on points with Barcelona, who had drawn with Espanyol earlier in the day.

Zidane was unveiled as manager on Monday and pledged to win a trophy this season.

Zidane (right) watches on as his players warm up at the start of training before attempting to make an impression on their new boss

Zidane gathers his squad round to give instructions during the open training session at Madrid's Valdebebas training ground

Zidane watches his players in training as he prepares for his first game against Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday

Zidane (right) takes over Madrid with the club third in La Liga, trailing Barcelona by two points and Atletico Madrid by four

Zidane hands out instructions to the Madrid players while overseeing his first training session at the club

The 43-year-old Zidane pledged to win a trophy this season with Madrid when he was unveiled as manager on Monday

Zidane said: 'This is an important day for me. I'm more excited now than I was when I signed as a player.

'I will be working hard with all the players and I think that it will go well. Tomorrow (Tuesday) is when the work starts. I am going to put my heart and soul into this job so that everything works out well.

'We have the best club and fans in the world. What we must do now, and what I will try to do, is all that is possible so that this team wins something at the end of the season. Thank you everyone.'

Madrid were kicked out of the Copa del Rey after fielding an ineligible player, meaning their two remaining chances of silverware are the league and the Champions League, where they face Roma in the last 16.

Zidane's previous coaching experience comes with the Real Madrid B side, as well as acting as an assistant to Carlo Ancelotti at the club.

As a player, his trophy haul included the World Cup with France in 1998, as well as La Liga in 2003 and the Champions League in 2002 with Madrid. 

He also won two Serie A titles in five years with Juventus.

Zidane told the media he will put all his heart into being manager of Madrid, a club he represented as a player

Zidane discusses plans with his coaching staff as supporters watch on in the background at Valdebebas 

Madrid forward Ronaldo looks on, as does defender Nacho Fernandez (left), during Zidane's training session

Zidane plays a pass in Madrid training on Tuesday (left) after being unveiled as manager by Florentino Perez (right) on Monday

David Beckham praised the appointment of former Madrid team-mate Zidane as manager, saying he is 'the best person for the job'

David Beckham, a former team-mate of Zidane's at Madrid, heralded the appointment.

'Does it get any better than this ?? (sic) A man that has been the best at a game we all love, taking over of a club that myself and many more people love... Someone with drive, passion and also doesn't accept failure on any level.. Taking over from a manager that has huge experience and respect in the game, but taking on a position that he will relish ... THE BEST PERSON FOR THE JOB,' Beckham wrote on Instagram.