Strong rumours from Spain say Rafa Benitez will today be sacked by Real Madrid and Zinedine Zidane appointed in his place.
Marca report a board meeting held on Monday at Santiago Bernabeu at which it’s said Benitez’s fate was sealed, citing poor results in recent weeks as the reason.
Zidane, currently in charge of the club’s Castilla B team, and a former assistant to Benitez’s predecessor, Carlo Ancelotti, is named as the ex-Napoli trainer’s successor.
There are also reports that Benitez’s poor relations with a number of the players in the Madrid squad have also been a factor in the club deciding to make a change.
Benitez has at various points in his tenure allegedly fallen out with Sergio Ramos, Marcelo, James Rodriguez, Isco and Cristiano Ronaldo
If Benitez is to be removed from his post then his last game came on Sunday, as 10-man Madrid drew with Valencia at Mestalla.
An official announcement is expected later on Monday, Cope adds, while AS suggests the players, including Ramos and Marcelo, were lukewarm in their support for Benitez following the 2-2 draw with Los Che.
