Real Madrid stars have reportedly voiced out their desire to have Zinedine Zidane as coach after Lopetegui was sacked.
Real Madrid players want Zinedine Zidane back at the Bernabeu
Real Madrid stars have voiced their preference to re-appoint Zinedine Zidane as manager, according to reports.
The Frenchman quit the Bernabeu in the summer after winning a consecutive treble of Champions League titles.
Los Blancos are scrambling to find a permanent boss after giving Julen Lopetegui the axe following Sunday's 5-1 thrashing against Barcelona.
Antonio Conte was lined up but player power has prevented president Florentino Perez from appointing the ex-Chelsea manager.
The players believe Conte's presence would further disrupt a fractious dressing room.
Instead the Real Madrid stars are pining for club legend Zidane to make a sensational return, reports the Mirror.
Zidane is highly regarded among the players after delivering four pieces of major silverware in three seasons.
The ex-Real Madrid boss quit after winning his third successive Champions League title
The 46-year-old cited a need for change when he handed in his shock resignation.
But if Real Madrid fail to appoint No1 target Mauricio Pochettino, then they could be forced to offer the club legend a lucrative deal.
Spanish Football Federation laws claim that La Liga clubs have two weeks before they have to appoint a permanent manager.
Poch is a favourite of Perez's and the Argentine's latest comments suggest the Spurs boss could consider leaving for the Bernabeu.
Before Monday's 1-0 defeat to Manchester City, he said: "The season so far, it’s strange because my feeling is the worst feeling I’ve had in the five years that I’ve been here.
"It’s the worst, my feeling. But it’s the best start ever for the club in the Premier League. It’s strange, no?"
***