Zidane shrugs off Madrid sack talk

Real Madrid's trying season has left Zinedine Zidane's future under the microscope but the head coach is simply focused on facing Levante.

Zinedine Zidane accepts other coaches being linked to his job comes with the territory of being Real Madrid boss.

The Spanish and European champions made it back-to-back wins in LaLiga with an impressive 4-1 triumph at Valencia last weekend but remain 19 points shy of leaders and bitter rivals Barcelona.

But a humbling Copa del Rey exit at the hands of Leganes still lingers and Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino is among those being talked of as a potential successor to Zidane, who has won the Champions League twice in two years at the helm.

"It's like that. Not just here, not just in Madrid. It's the daily work of any coach," the France great told reporters ahead of Saturday's trip to Levante.

"When things are difficult they talk about and a change and those who could come in.

"It doesn't affect me. It doesn't stop me doing my work and fighting and looking for what I want to do each day – improving things.

"I am not thinking at all about what will happen next year, I don't care [for the moment]."

A mouth-watering last-16 clash against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League is on the horizon, with Madrid's remaining hope of winning major silverware this season on the line to further raise the stakes.

Nevertheless, Zidane maintains his players are focused upon more immediate tasks against Levante and Real Sociedad in LaLiga, where he is refusing to concede the title just yet.

"No, it's straightforward. If we think about the PSG game that's a mistake. The players don't think that," he said.

"The players think that we have to get our confidence back, as we have been doing. We've scored 11 goals in two league games, so just keep thinking about that.

"If we do things well, we will have a lot of possibilities to win the game. If we don't then it is going to be tougher.

"We have to do well in the league, finish as high up in the league as possible and think the league isn't over. That's all."

Zidane reported playmaker Isco and captain Sergio Ramos will be available to face Levante after overcoming respective thigh and calf complaints.