Zidane likely to replace Benitez at Real Madrid

Former French football legend Zinedine Zidane has thrown his hat in the ring for the job of Real Madrid coach.

Coach Rafael Benitez’s days at the Santiago Bernabeu are numbered following Sunday's 1-0 defeat at Villarreal, who left Real third in La Liga -- five points adrift of eternal rivals Barcelona after 15 matches.

Zidane is currently in charge of Real’s B team, Castilla, and has for some time been linked with the manager’s post.

Speculation is now rife that the 43-year-old Frenchman is ready to be at the helm of affairs at his former club.

According to reports in Spanish media, the bosses at Madrid are losing patience with Benitez and Zidane is being seen as the perfect replacement.

Madrid-based papers Marca and AS both led with the story on their front pages of Wednesday's editions that Real are ready for the change of guard and Zidane is the man who will be handed the big job.

In France, the story is the front cover of Wednesday's L'Equipe, which also reported a similar development.

'Real vote for Zidane,' was the headline of their publication, as they claimed that Benitez 'has lost the confidence of his Madrid leaders, who will dismiss him when his next mishap occurs'.

Besides losing the trust of club president Florentino Perez, Benitez’s popularity among club fans has waned – the Spaniard and the team having met with boos in recent home matches.