Football is totally unpredictable and this weekend could see another incredible chapter written, as former Real Madrid coach Julen Lopetegui takes on his old side with their current boss on thin ice.
Although Zidane has played down the importance of the situation, he is fighting to keep his job and the curious thing about this whole matter is that the coach who replaced him in 2018 - only to be sacked months later before the Frenchman got his job back - could now provide the final blow to his stint in charge.
Zidane left Real Madrid unexpectedly two and a half seasons ago, after guiding the club to their 13th Champions League title in Kiev. The Frenchman decided it was best to jump ship, leaving Florentino Perez in a delicate situation. The president of Real Madrid turned to Julen Lopetegui just before the start of the World Cup in Russia, but decided to sack him just months into the job after a resounding defeat to Barcelona. Lopetegui had to depart without being able to demonstrate his qualities.
Santiago Solari replaced Lopetegui but a similarly disappointing spell in charge saw him sacked before the end of the season and Zidane returned as the prodigal son. Despite winning LaLiga Santander last seaon, the new campaign is not going as expected and the Frenchman is now being questioned.
Although it is the final Champions League group game against Borussia Monchengladbach which is said to be crucial in regards to whether Zidane keeps his job or not, a defeat against Sevilla would leave Zidane on the precipice and, as fate would have it, it is Julen Lopetegui that could push him out the door.
The character that Lopetegui is makes it very unlikely that revenge will be on his mind, but it is a game in which he can vindicate himself and prove his doubters in the capital wrong. Football has a funny way of creating such plots as Lopetegui, the man who was brought in to replace the Frenchman and failed, could now be his executioner.
Source: m.allfootballapp.com