Monday 23 November 2015 19:20, UK
We look at the main contenders to be the next Real Madrid manager after the pressure was significantly cranked up on Rafael Benitez following their 4-0 in El Clasico loss.
Saturday's humiliating home defeat to arch-rivals Barcelona prompted Bernabeu president Florentino Perez to give the Spanish boss the dreaded vote of confidence, doing little to suggest his position is not under serious threat.
Here's a look at the main contenders for the post according to Sky Bet's next Real Madrid manager odds...
Zinedine Zidane (evens with Sky Bet)
Considered one of the greatest players of all time - is now the time for Zidane to take on arguably the greatest challenge in management? The France legend certainly seems to be working the path up the Bernabeu management steps, progressing from assistant manager of the first team to the head coach of Real Madrid Castilla. He does, however, lack any top-level experience, having only been granted his UEFA Pro Licence badge last season, having served a three-month ban from the Spanish FA for coaching's Real's reserve side before gaining the necessary qualification.
While Zidane's path might be deemed ideal at great rivals Barcelona, it is hardly a traditional one in the Spanish capital, with seven different high-profile coaches in place since Juan Ramon Lopez Caro was promoted from youth team coach to caretaker boss in 2005. Punters seems convinced that Zidane is the man for the job though, backing him in from 3/1 to even-money shortly after Sky Bet opened betting.
Carlo Ancelotti (10/1 with Sky Bet)
Florentino Perez's trigger happy nature his rarely been more evident than ridding Real of the man that delivered La Decima. The Italian won the Champions League in his first season in charge but failed to claim the La Liga title during his two-year stay, ending his second season empty handed. Even Cristiano Ronaldo's social media support was not enough to save his job and has resulted in Ancelotti taking the opportunity to spend a year away from the game. The 56-year-old has since indicated that he would be willing to return to the Bernabeu or fellow former clubs Chelsea and PSG in the summer.
Jose Mourinho (12/1 with Sky Bet)
In contrast to Ancelotti, Mourinho did manage to deliver domestic superiority to Real Madrid but failed to conquer Europe. Any such move would obviously depend on his position at Chelsea, which could come under further scrutiny if Chelsea lose to London rivals Tottenham on Sunday, having already suffered seven defeats in their Premier League title defence. Mourinho has, however, consistently stated his long-term commitment to his second stint Stamford Bridge and has retained the faith of the fans despite a woeful start to the season.
Other options
Arsene Wenger is considered among a significant batch of bosses around 16/1 and 18/1, but it would be a huge surprise to see him leave Arsenal with the Premier League title rarely looking more achievable since their last success in 2003/04.
Former Argentina boss Alejandro Sabella is the same price having been out of work since leading his nation to the World Cup final, where they were only denied in extra-time, while PSG's Laurent Blanc is also given odds of 16/1 having utilised a big budget to cope with big expectations at the Parc des Princes.
Antonio Conte, who led Juventus to last season's Champions League final, is slightly longer odds at 18/1 as the Old Lady struggle to repeat last season's successes, having lost Carlos Tevez, Arturo Vidal and Andrea Pirlo over the summer.
Two-time former Real boss Fabio Capello is out of work since leaving his post with Russia and is considered an 18/1 chance along with Frank de Boer, who is looking to secure a fifth Eredivisie title as Ajax manager.
A whole host of other options sit between 20/1 and 25/1, including Manchester City's Manuel Pellegrini, who took charge of Real in 2009/10 and Tottenham's Mauricio Pochettino.
