Zinedine Zidane lined up by Real Madrid to be next manager, says Graham Hunter

Zinedine Zidane is being lined up to be Carlo Ancelotti’s successor as manager at Real Madrid, according to Graham Hunter.

Speaking on Revista de La Liga, Hunter insists the current Real Madrid Castilla boss is the natural choice to take over from the Italian, but not immediately due to lack of experience.

Ancelotti has come under fire in recent weeks after some poor performances since the winter break, with the current European champions now a point behind leaders Barcelona.

“It's not about candidates, it's a candidate,” Hunter said. “The succession plan is Zinedine Zidane. He's in charge of Castilla B. It's a formal plan and everyone knows this to be the case.”

Ancelotti has previously publically said Zidane would make a good manager at the Bernabeu, but despite the current manager’s future being uncertain, Hunter admits it is too soon for former Real midfielder Zidane.

He added: “They want him to gain more experience. I think he wants to gain more.

“Therefore maybe there's a small chance that if Ancelotti is in a risk in the summer, they'll say, 'we'll wait a year with him'. And Zizou will come through.”