Zidane eye an early retirement as pressure in the Madrid hot-seat takes its toll

Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane admitted that he isn't too far from retirement as he revealed the pressure of the job has taken its toll.

The Frenchman is in his second stint as Los Blancos boss and he has kept them in the LaLiga title race alongside rivals Barcelona. They are one point behind the Catalan club with a game in hand.

However, despite Champions League glory and much success in the Madrid hot-seat, Zidane revealed he may not last much longer in his current job.

'I won't coach for 20 years. I'll retire before that,' Zidane said ahead of Real's clash with Espanyol this tonight.

'I'm an unusual coach, anything could happen. I'm not planning anything. It's the day-to-day that excites me. For how long, I don't know.

'In my head I've always been a player. I played for 18 or 19 years, and after that when people asked me if I'd be a coach, I said no.

'Then I decided to become one. This really wears you out. It won't be 20 years, that's for sure.'

Real can go two points clear at the top of LaLiga on Sunday evening when they face Espanyol.

The LaLiga giants boast the best defensive record in the league as they have conceded just 21 goals from 31 matches.

Zidane put their impressive season down to their defensive personnel, as he explained: '[Ramos and Varane] are the best pair around.'

'What they do is exceptional. I like to play football, but defence is the most important thing today.

'We have an advantage with the defence we have, and we have players who are committed.

'But defending isn't about four or five players. We've shown strength and attitude as a team.'