Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon introduced the former Getafe coach Monday at Santiago Bernabeu stadium.

``This is a happy day for me,'' Schuster said. ``I thank the president and everyone here for giving me the opportunity.''

Schuster will take over from Fabio Capello, who was fired June 28, less than two weeks after leading Madrid to its first Spanish league title in four years and ending the club's longest major trophy drought in 53 years.

Schuster, a former Germany defender, had coached Getafe since 2005. The Madrid-based club lost 1-0 to Sevilla in the Copa del Rey final and finished ninth in the league.

``It's not a new home for me, I played here for two seasons,'' Schuster said. ``I am sure that on this first day as a coach it's just as it was when I was a player, thinking that we will triumph with this grand club just as we did then.''

Meanwhile, Getafe hired former Denmark midfielder Michael Laudrup to replace Schuster. Laudrup, a former player at FC Barcelona and Real Madrid, signed a two-year deal.

Schuster will be Madrid's eighth coach in four years.

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