New Real Madrid boss Julen Lopetegui is prepared to meet expectations of "the most demanding club in the world" as he takes charge of the Champions League winners.
The 51-year-old former keeper, who made a single La Liga appearance for the club after cutting his teeth in it's B team, Castilla, was a surprise appointment as Zinedine Zidane's replacement, but insists he knows exactly what he has taken on.
In a video posted on the club's official Twitter feed, Lopetegui said: "Coming back at the manager of the first team is a tremendous feeling. It requires responsibility, but it is also very exciting and emotional.
"I know that I am joining the best and the most demanding club in the world and I am convinced that I can meet these high expectations.
"Now we'll start preparing for our first trophy, the UEFA Super Cup on August 15."
Lopetegui, whose spell as Spain boss ended abruptly two days before their World Cup opener after his impending departure for Real was announced.
Lopetegui inherits a squad packed with world-class players despite Cristiano Ronaldo's departure for Juventus, and is intent on improving a side which won a third successive Champions League title last season, but finished third in the league, a full 17 points adrift of arch-rivals Barca.
Real have announced right back Alvaro Odriozola as their latest signing after a €30m move from Real Sociedad, but Real are still chasing that big-name replacement for Ronaldo, with Eden Hazard the current favourite.
Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is also well fancied to move to the Bernabeu alongside Hazard this summer, in what is sure to be a busy summer of transfer spending.
He said: "I am a person who wants to constantly improve and I try to pass that on to my teams. We all have to want to improve because we are all capable of improving.
"Wanting to improve all the time is a fantastic way to be. It is important to want to be the best player, the best coach and the best team.
"We have a very good squad and we are making tweaks and finding solutions at the moment. We will have a brilliant group of players. They will be ready to go and prepared for all the challenges ahead."
