Real Madrid have reportedly identified Mauricio Pochettino as their preferred replacement for Zinedine Zidane.
Despite winning La Liga as recently as July, Zidane is under pressure to keep his job at the Bernabeu after a poor start to the season.
As well as sitting seven points adrift of top-flight leaders Real Sociedad, Los Blancos may need to win their final Champions League group fixture to reach the last 16.
According to several Spanish newspapers, club officials will part ways with the Frenchman if Real do not improve over the next four matches.
Pochettino, out of work since being sacked by Tottenham Hotspur 13 months ago, has emerged as the favourite to replace Zidane if his side fail to respond to Tuesday's 2-0 defeat to Shakhtar Donetsk.
Real face Sevilla, Borussia Monchengladbach, Atletico Madrid and Athletic Bilbao between this Saturday and December 15.
Darren Plant
