Friday 8 January 2016 16:38, UK
Zinedine Zidane is not under any immediate pressure to succeed at Real Madrid and will be given sufficient time as manager, according to Guillem Balague.
Zidane was plunged into the spotlight this week as he replaced Rafael Benitez in the hot-seat at the Bernabeu, taking up his first substantial managerial position.
Real are relatively well-placed in La Liga - third, three points adrift of leaders Barcelona - but Balague believes they have "no chance" of winning a first league title in four years, claiming their best chance of silverware lies in the Champions League.
However, speaking during his weekly Q&A session, Sky Sports' Spanish football expert was confident a lack of silverware - which has cost previous Real managers their jobs in the past - would not jeopardise Zidane's tenure.
"I feel Real Madrid have got the excuses ready for Zidane if they fail to win anything this season, so he will be kept on next season," Balague said.
"In my opinion, they have no chance to La Liga. In my eyes, Real are joint-favourites with any team in the Champions League as it is only seven games.
"They have got enough quality players to raise their game for knock-out competitions."
Balague believes the key to Zidane's reign could come down to whether Real are hit with a transfer embargo, similar to Barcelona's recently expired 14-month ban.
With Real waiting to see whether they will be hit with the sanction, imposed for irregularities in the signing of minors, Real's ability to recruit could play an important role in deciding the longevity of Zidane's maiden managerial role.
"Do not forget it might be a two window ban applied by FIFA," Balague added.
"That will affect from the futures of Cristiano [Ronaldo] and [Karim] Benzema, and also how long Zidane stays at the club."
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