Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema has claimed that Zinedine Zidane will not leave Real Madrid this summer, amid speculation around the manager's job.
Los Blancos missed out on the La Liga title this year to rivals Atletico Madrid, who finished two points above Zidane's side, meaning for the first time since 2010 the Spanish giants have not won a trophy in a season.
The former Real Madrid forward has a year remaining on his managerial contract at the Bernabeu, but there has been unrest from the Madrid camp when it was reported that Zidane had a training ground row with full-back Marcelo.
However, fellow Frenchman Benzema has backed his manager, telling L'Equipe: "Zizou has always been sincere with me. I respect him a lot because he is very direct with me. He gives me a lot of confidence on the pitch.
"As of now, Zidane is Real Madrid's coach. I don't see him leaving. He won't leave, you'll see. If he leaves, he leaves but, for the moment, I don't see a Madrid without Zidane."
Zidane returned to manage Real Madrid for his second spell at the helm in 2019, having left the club from his first stint as manager five days after winning the Champions League in 2018.
Sammy Wynne
