Real Madrid: 5 potential replacements for Zinedine Zidane

(Photo credit: Patrick Gaudin)

There is growing pressure on Zinedine Zidane. Tuesday night's defeat by Espanyol left Real Madrid 15 points behind La Liga leaders Barcelona, ten behind city rivals Atletico Madrid and only one above fourth-placed Valencia.

It was made worse by the circumstances, too. A rotated, seemingly lethargic and uninterested, Real Madrid side looked set for an underwhelming 0-0 draw. But Gerard Moreno struck in the last minute of injury time to condemn the away side to a fifth league defeat of the season.

President Florentino Perez has clearly acknowledged that Zidane, given his reputation and past achievement, should be afforded more time. Certainly, Rafa Benitez was dismissed for far less. But he was not Zidane. He had not won back-to-back Champions Leagues or a first Liga in five years.

Perez's patience, though, is probably being tested. Domestically, Los Blancos have been nothing short of disastrous. The Champions League is all that remains to save their season, and likely Zidane's job.

Should the Frenchman at some point fall out of favour, as many now expect, Real Madrid will be in search of an adequate replacement. Here are five that could be on their shortlist: