Rafa Benitez on the brink as Real Madrid line up Zinedine Zidane

It's no secret that Real Madrid have been losing patience with manager Rafa Benitez, but he may now have mere hours left in the job.

The former Liverpool boss was a surprise choice to replace Carlo Ancelotti, and domestic struggles could see the Spaniard sacked despite a crushing 8-0 win over Malmo in the Champions League, which contributed to them sailing into the last 16. Benitez will be replaced today by former Galactico Zinedine Zidane, according to French newspaper L'Equipe. Madrid are thought to have lost confidence in Benitez, despite club president Florentino Perez publicly backing the 55-year-old. The 4-0 Clasico defeat to Barcelona was the club's worst in five years, and they could now call upon club legend Zidane despite his lack of managerial experience. Zizou, who currently coaches Madrid's reserve team, won the league, cup and Champions League during half a decade in the Spanish capital.