ZINEDINE ZIDANE is facing a ‘total breakdown’ with the Real Madrid dressing room, reports claim.
Following last night’s 2-0 defeat to Shakhtar Donetsk the Frenchman is believed to have just four games left to save his job, with Mauricio Pochettino waiting in the wings.
Zidane is facing an internal crisis at Real MadridCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Eden Hazard is reportedly one of eight players to have lost the faith of their managerCredit: Reuters
And according to Sport, he will have to do so despite having cooled on eight members of his first-team squad.
The report claims that Zidane, 48, has ‘lost faith’ in Chelsea icon Eden Hazard, 29, who will miss the remainder of 2020 after rupturing his hamstring in the 2-1 defeat to Alaves at the weekend.
Former prodigy Martin Odegaard, 21, who was brought back to the Bernabeu this term after impressing on loan at Real Sociedad, has also lost the faith of his manager.
Zizou has ‘lost confidence’ in young Brazilian pair Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior, and could ‘do without them’ if possible.
He is also disappointed with the performances of winger Marco Asensio, following the star’s return from a year-long injury earlier in 2020.
Two stalwarts also feature on Zidane’s naughty list as we approach Christmas.
Marcelo, 32, has begun to show signs of his advancing years, with Ferland Mendy now staking a claim to take his place in the team full time – with Zidane beginning to ‘tire’ of the Brazilian’s attitude.
Another in this boat is Toni Kroos, despite the midfielder’s reasonable performances.
Martin Odegaard’s Real Madrid return has been less than idealCredit: Reuters
Marcelo and Toni Kroos’ former glories may not be enough for ZidaneCredit: Getty – Contributor
Marco Asensio’s form since returning from injury has not been up to scratch for his managerCredit: EPA
Isco is also set to leave, with the fracture in his relationship with his manager now ‘total’.
Grumpy Zidane reportedly only has total faith in SIX of his first-team squad.
These players are skipper Sergio Ramos, Raphael Varane, Mendy, Casemiro, Federico Valverde and Karim Benzema.
If Zidane is to save his job over the next four matches, he will have to do so the hard way.
Madrid travel to Sevilla at the weekend, before their crunch Champions League group decider against Borussia Monchengladbach next Wednesday.
Following that is a Madrid derby against Atletico, before a home clash with Athletic Bilbao.
Real Madrid may give up on teenager RodrygoCredit: AFP or licensors
Vinicius Junior turned 20 over the summerCredit: AP:Associated Press
The relationship between Isco and Zidane is totally ‘fractured’Credit: The Mega Agency
Real Madrid Zinedine Zidane says he will not resign after a second Champions League defeat to Shakhtar Donetsk
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
