Zinedine Zidane is set for a shock return to Real Madrid (Image: GETTY)
The Frenchman parted company with Real Madrid last May after guiding them to their third successive Champions League triumph.
Los Blancos have been a shambles since Zidane’s departure, sacking his successor Julen Lopetegui four-and-a-months into his reign.
Former Real midfielder Santiago Solari succeeded Lopetegui on a temporary basis but has failed to turn things around.
And according to multiple reports, the Argentine’s failure to steady the ship has prompted Real president Florentino Perez to re-install Zidane as the club’s manager.
Spanish football expert Guillem Balague appeared to confirm the news during an appearance on Eleven Sports, saying: “That’s right, Zinedine Zidane will be in charge of Real Madrid.
“He will take training tomorrow. It should be announced pretty soon.
“As you said, there’s a board meeting where basically everybody will say, ‘Yeah, okay.’
“Because that has been decided by Florentino Perez and Jose Angel Sanchez – the two men who are in charge of the side.
Zinedine Zidane won three Champions League trophies with Real Madrid (Image: GETTY)
“So there’s a bit of protocol so the board has to know about it.
“But what is interest is the moment that Real Madrid went through their worst week in history – and there’s no other way to put it, everything was lost in one week – Florentino Perez decided that a big decision had to be taken.
“And that meant ringing around to see who was available, what possibilities there were.
“Getting rid of Santi Solari, that was decided very early on. And they were a little bit surprised and taken aback when Zidane said, ‘No, I don’t know. I’m not so sure. Maybe in June we’ll see.’
Jose Mourinho denied been approached by Real Madrid to succeed Solari (Image: GETTY)
Zinedine Zidane Real Madrid Return Santiago Solari Axed La Liga News And Gossip
“But the way to convince him was to guarantee him the authority he demanded in the summer and that he was not given.
“So he’s now in charge of all the big decision at Real Madrid.”
Former Real Madrid chief Jose Mourinho was also linked with a stunning return to the Bernabeu, with it being claimed Perez has been in contact with the Portuguese.
Mourinho – who was relieved of his duties as Manchester United manager in December – denied that notion earlier this month and insisted he’s not been in contact with his old club.
Santiago Solari is seemingly on the way out from Real Madrid (Image: GETTY)
In an interview with El Chiringuito, Mourinho said: “You’re talking hypothetically. There is nothing, not even minimal contact.”
Zidane’s seemingly imminent return to the Spanish capital comes on the back of the worst week in Real’s recent history.
The reigning European club champions were dumped out of the Champions League by Ajax last Tuesday, suffering a 4-1 loss to the Dutch side.
Their humiliating defeat to the European minnows was proceeded by back-to-back losses to their bitter rivals Barcelona in La Liga and the Copa del Rey.
Zidane will reportedly been given a lot more power in his second stint as Real manager (Image: GETTY)
On Saturday evening, Solari vowed to continue fighting for his job, saying: “I give you [the] same answer as my first day here: we are all passing through here, and the most important for any coach, any team, is the next game.
“It is an honour to serve this club.
“These are not assessments I have to do. I’m the coach and, like everyone, I try to give the best I have.
“It’s not the best moment. The objective is always the next game, always.
Santiago Solari has failed to turn things around at the Bernabeu (Image: GETTY)
“There are judgements I have to accept, but my job is to carry on.
“I’m going to give my best, as I have done since the first day I came here.”
It’s been reported that Zidane could be re-appointed as Real chief by the end of the day, with Solari’s departure expected to be announced before Zizou’s return.
His first game back at the Bernabeu helm will be against Celta Vigo on Saturday afternoon.
