Real Madrid job will be Mourinho’s if Zidane fails – Calderon

Jose Mourinho will take over as Real Madrid boss should newly appointed manager Zinedine Zidane fail to turn the club around this season, former president Ramon Calderon has said.

Manager Rafa Benitez was sacked on Monday by the Bernabeu club after seven months in charge and replaced him with France legend Zidane.

The 52-year-old Portuguese manager, who parted company with Chelsea in mid-December, won La Liga and Copa del Rey titles with Real in his first spell with the club. And Calderon told BBC Radio 5 live he is “sure” the Portuguese will coach the club in June if Zidane falters.

''I wish Zidane all the best but it will be difficult. If he is not successful then Jose Mourinho will be on the bench in June, I am sure,'' Calderon said on Monday. ''It is a great opportunity for Zidane [but] he lacks experience as a coach. That is a problem.''