Santiago Solari dismissed comparisons to Zinedine Zidane after being appointed interim coach of Real Madrid.

Solari was named caretaker manager as the club seek a replacement for Julen Lopetegui, who was sacked on Monday after less than five months in charge.

Ex-Spain boss Lopetegui lost his job after a run of five defeats in seven games, culminating in a 5-1 thrashing at the hands of Barcelona on Sunday which leaves Los Blancos ninth in La Liga.

Lopetegui succeeded Zidane as Real Madrid coach – the former France midfielder having also managed the club’s B-team before being promoted from within.

Zidane left in the summer after winning three Champions League titles in a row and former Real Madrid B boss Solari is not ready to draw comparisons to the club legend just yet.

“With respect to Zinedine Zidane, he is one of the greatest things we have had at the club,” he said.

“Let’s just let him live in peace, he’s one of Real Madrid’s greatest icons,” he said on Tuesday.

“There’s not enough words to describe Zizou, let’s leave him live with his greatness and not compare [us].

“Nobody can compare with him.”

Solari’s first game in charge will be a last 16 Spanish Cup tie against third division club Melilla tonight.