Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has affirmed that he is not "untouchable" as speculation mounts over his future.
The Frenchman has led Real Madrid to three consecutive Champions League crowns, but the capital outfit are at a real risk of falling at the first hurdle in this season's tournament following their 2-0 defeat to Shakhtar Donetsk in midweek.
Los Blancos have made an inconsistent start to their La Liga title defence as well, but the pressure on Zidane was slightly eased as Real scraped a narrow win over Sevilla on Saturday.
However, Zidane has insisted that he is and was never untouchable at the Bernabeu, telling reporters: "I've never seen myself as untouchable at this club. Not as a player or as a coach. Never. I'm here for a reason, and I'm living this thing until the final day.
"When you don't win it's normal that you get criticism. It's not going to change nor will it change how I think of my players and the job I do on a daily basis. There are clearly difficulties in this job. We're going to continue regardless.
"Yes we've had difficult times in the past and now we're in the present and it's more difficult now but I feel strong and the players will give us the possibility to get through this tough spell. I feel ready to find a solution for this."
Real currently sit third in Champions League Group B and must pick up all three points against current leaders Borussia Monchengladbach to confirm their place in the last 16 next week.
Ben Knapton
