Zinedine Zidane favourite to replace Rafael Benitez at Real Madrid

A bookmaker in Spain has installed Zinedine Zidane as the overwhelming favourite to replace Rafael Benitez, should Real Madrid decide to part company with their current head coach.

Benitez has been under constant pressure since he took charge at the Bernabeu in the summer and his cause has not been helped by the three La Liga defeats that Los Blancos have suffered, which have left them five points adrift of joint leaders and rivals Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.

President Florentino Perez recently gave his backing to the 55-year-old, but that has not stopped rumours that his position is under threat.

As a result, Marca Apuestas bookies have priced the club's former midfielder Zidane as the 5/4 leading contender to take over.

Zidane, who is the current coach of Madrid's second string Castilla, claimed last month that he was not ready to make the step up.