MADRID, Spain (AP) -- Real Madrid appointed Benito Floro as soccer director till 2008 and signed Brazil defender Cicinho from Sao Paolo on Friday.
The 53-year-old Floro replaces Italian Arrigo Sacchi, who resigned on Dec. 5 citing family and home as reasons for his decision.
Floro coached Madrid from 1992-94, and also guided Mallorca, Villarreal, Sporting Gijon and Albacete in Spain, Monterrey in Mexico and Vissel Kobe in Japan.
"This is a challenge that attracts and pleases me enormously," Floro said. "The idiosyncrasy of Real Madrid has always been an elaborate attack, a style that needs to be maintained.
"There has to be a very firm base with Real Madrid, so that players can play the ball well, with confidence, and win the ball back if lost."
Floro led Madrid to the European Super Cup and Copa del Rey victories in 1993.
"Floro is a profound analyst of soccer. Floro knows Real Madrid well and is a Madrid fan," Madrid vice president Emilio Butragueno said.
Mallorca replaced Floro as its coach with Hector Cuper in October 2004 after a string of poor results.
Floro had been a candidate to be Spain coach, but Luis Aragones was appointed instead in July 2004.
"Madrid has come through a bad spell, but I see great possibilities to win," said Floro.
Brazil right-back Cicinho has signed with Madrid for five years, the club said on its Web site.
Madrid secured first option on Cicinho -- who starred in Brazil's Confederations Cup win in June and Sao Paulo's third Copa Libertadores title in July -- in August for a fee of $7 million.
Madrid already has Brazilians Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos, Julio Baptista and Robinho on its roster.
The 53-year-old Floro replaces Italian Arrigo Sacchi, who resigned on Dec. 5 citing family and home as reasons for his decision.
Floro coached Madrid from 1992-94, and also guided Mallorca, Villarreal, Sporting Gijon and Albacete in Spain, Monterrey in Mexico and Vissel Kobe in Japan.
"This is a challenge that attracts and pleases me enormously," Floro said. "The idiosyncrasy of Real Madrid has always been an elaborate attack, a style that needs to be maintained.
"There has to be a very firm base with Real Madrid, so that players can play the ball well, with confidence, and win the ball back if lost."
Floro led Madrid to the European Super Cup and Copa del Rey victories in 1993.
"Floro is a profound analyst of soccer. Floro knows Real Madrid well and is a Madrid fan," Madrid vice president Emilio Butragueno said.
Mallorca replaced Floro as its coach with Hector Cuper in October 2004 after a string of poor results.
Floro had been a candidate to be Spain coach, but Luis Aragones was appointed instead in July 2004.
"Madrid has come through a bad spell, but I see great possibilities to win," said Floro.
Brazil right-back Cicinho has signed with Madrid for five years, the club said on its Web site.
Madrid secured first option on Cicinho -- who starred in Brazil's Confederations Cup win in June and Sao Paulo's third Copa Libertadores title in July -- in August for a fee of $7 million.
Madrid already has Brazilians Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos, Julio Baptista and Robinho on its roster.
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