ZINEDINE ZIDANE has just FOUR games to save his job at Real Madrid, with the club eyeing up another swoop for Mauricio Pochettino, according to the Spanish papers.
Los Blancos slipped to a horror 2-0 defeat away to Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday night.
Mauricio Pochettino is Real Madrid’s No1 target to replace Zidane[/caption]
The result left them THIRD in their Champions League group, facing the barely-believable prospect of slipping down into the Europa League.
Real Madrid also sit fourth in LaLiga, seven points adrift of league-leaders Real Sociedad, after their loss to Alaves at the weekend.
Marca claim Zidane now has just four matches to save his job.
The Spanish giants face heavyweights Sevilla and Atletico Madrid in the league in that run, as well as their season-defining clash with Borussia Monchengladbach in the Champions League.
Despite coming under increased scrutiny, Zidane was adamant he would NOT resign on Tuesday.
After the horror loss to Shakhtar, Zidane defiantly said: “I am not going to resign – not at all.
“We have always had delicate moments. It is true that it is a bad streak in terms of results, but we must continue.
“It is a difficult moment but I am convinced that we are going to bring out our character.
Zidane won’t quit, but he has just four games to save his job, say reports in Spain[/caption]
“We have to win the next game. I am convinced that we can do it.”
But Marca now claim Real Madrid are looking at Pochettino to take over.
The LaLiga champions have chased the former Tottenham a number of times down the years.
However, they struggled to prise him away from Spurs – despite Pochettino keen on a move to the Spanish capital.
Madrid now believe they will be able to bring in Poch, having already agreed to personal terms years ago, according to Marca.
Real had hoped they could one day replace Zidane with club legend – and current Castilla (Real ‘B’ team) – boss Raul.
However, reports in Spain claim Los Blancos chiefs do not not want to expose the former striker to the nightmare situation the club are currently enduring.
Should Real Madrid sack Zidane – which could be as early as this month – they will target Pochettino first.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
