Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane insists his legendary playing career offers him no protection when it comes to his role as manager of the Spanish giants
The Frenchman has delivered two Champions League titles and a La Liga crown since taking charge of the club just over two years ago but finds himself under some pressure following his team's poor start to the current campaign.
The Spanish champions find themselves 16 points behind bitter rivals Barcelona less than halfway into the season, having won just nine of their first 17 top flight matches.
And Zidane, who achieved greatness during his five seasons playing for Los Blancos between 2001 and 2006, admits he understood that he would have limited time at the helm of the club.
" Zinedine Zidane isn't a player at Real Madrid anymore. That Zidane no longer exists," he told France Football.
"Now it's down to Zinedine Zidane the coach to carve out a career. I'm not protected by what I've done as a player at this club."
"I know that one day it [the coach's job] will come to an end at Real Madrid, so I make the most of it and I do everything I can to be successful."
"I say to myself, 'if I've got 10 days left here, then I'm going to live those 10 days to the max; if it's six months, I'll live those six months to the max. I don't think beyond that. I know I won't stay [in the job] for 10 years."