Real Madrid squad ‘with Zidane to the death’

Questions have been asked about the French manager’s future at Santiago Bernabeu with the team facing consistency issues.

Ferland Mendy insists he and the rest of the Real Madrid squad are “with Zinedine Zidane to the death”, dismissing the criticism aimed at his manager.

Real Madrid’s La Liga title defense is not going according to the scripts as the champions sit second with a three-point deficit against leaders Atletico Madrid. That deficit could increase to six points if their local rivals win the game in hand.

Los Blancos suffered an embarrassing exit from Copa del Rey after losing out to Segunda Division B side Alcoyano while they were also knocked out of Supercopa de Espana at the hands of Athletic Bilbao.

Add that to the fact that they barely made it to the Champions League last-16, and it’s understandable why Zidane is on a slippery slope.

Questions have been raised as to whether the Frenchman is still the right man to take the team forward in light of the disappointing setbacks suffered this season.

“I don’t read much, to be honest. I’m with Zidane to the death and we’re all with him, truly,” Mendy told Marca in response to the uncertainty surrounding his manager’s future.

“He seems relaxed. But we don’t really take notice of what people are saying.”