Zidane tipped to replace Benitez as Real Madrid coach by Rivaldo

Zidane may get Benitez’s job next season

Rivaldo may have played for Real Madrid’s arch rivals Barcelona, but that hasn’t stopped him from predicting who the former’s next coach would be, according to 101GreatGoals. Current manager Rafael Benitez has been constantly criticized for his defensive tactics as Real Madrid coach, with the rumour mill even predicting that the Spaniard would lose his job should Madrid slump to a defeat against Barca.

Needless to say those same sources were in full swing once Barcelona inflicted a crushing 4-0 defeat on Madrid at the Bernabeu, courtesy of goals from Neymar, Suarez and Iniesta.

And Rivaldo seemed to join the rumour mongers when he took to his Instagram account after the game to name Real Madrid’s supposed new coach – Zinedine Zidane! The post, which was in Portuguese, roughly translated, “Congratulations to all players of Barcelona, they were incredible at Real Madrid, looked like a 2 rings of training. Real Madrid already has a new coach in Zidane, I believe it’s time to give opportunity to him as did Barca with Guardiola and Luis Enrique.”

Both Rivaldo and Zidane are treated as legends at their former clubs, with Rivaldo winning a total of five trophies with Barca, while Zidane won six with Madrid including the 2001-2002 Champions League – where he scored a memorable volley in the final.

Zidane, who served as assistant to former Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti last season, now coaches Real Madrid’s B team – the Castilla, and is widely seen as Los Blancos’ future manager, which is likely to happen sooner rather than later.

Mind you, many have speculated that Zidane would indeed replace Benitez by the end of the season, but so far Rivaldo is the only person who has openly commented on it. However, Benitez’s immediate departure is highly unlikely as Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is known to give every manager he employs at least one season in charge before he gives them the sack.

4 who came before Benitez at Real also lost their first Clasicos but the amount of pressure on the former Napoli boss is mounting. His team had a stellar defensive record before their losses against Real Sociedad and now Barcelona. Though, little has been made of Benitez’s good start since they are now 6 points behind their rivals in the La Liga table. As if the Spaniard didn’t have enough problems, Rivaldo has now stoked the fire with his comments.