Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has called Zinedine Zidane asking him to return to the Bernabeu after their devastating Champions League exit.
The holders were stunned by a young and fearless Ajax side, who won 4-1 on the night in Madrid to seal a 5-3 aggregate victory that sees them progress to the quarter-final of the competition.
Having also been beaten twice at home in successive games to Barcelona in the Copa del Rey and La Liga, beleaguered manager Santiago Solari is now certain to leave Real.
Although Jose Mourinho has been linked as a possible successor, Spanish TV show Jugones report that another former manager – Zidane – is Perez’s preferred target.
In fact, the Real president has already been on the phone with Zidane pleading for him to return, and the Frenchman is open to the idea – though only at the end of the season, not now.
Zidane foresaw the problems with the Real squad 18 months ago and had asked for significant funds and freedom to trim the squad.
Perez has promised him free reign to remodel the team should he return, even getting rid of many players who appeared untouchable in his previous spell at the club.
Zidane, who won three successive Champions League titles in charge of Real, is believed to be open to returning – even ahead of a mooted move to Juventus – with his family still living in the city and sons playing for the club.
Despite Zidane’s reluctance to take over until the summer, Real are considering getting rid of Solari before Sunday’s La Liga clash with Real Valladolid, such is their displeasure with him.
