It would be unfair for Real Madrid to sack Zinedine Zidane if he does not win a trophy this season, says Terry Gibson.
Zidane's future is being brought under question by the Spanish press after Sunday's Clasico defeat by Barcelona at the Bernabeu, which leaves them level on points at the top of La Liga.
Real do have a game in hand over their rivals, and also face Atletico in the Champions League semi-final, but Gibson says the assumption is the Frenchman will go if they end the season without silverware.
Gibson told the La Liga Weekly Podcast: "If Real Madrid don't win anything, the big question would be, 'Will Zidane stay?' Without thinking, we all say, 'Of course he wouldn't'.
"If Real don't win the title or the Champions League, it's the natural conclusion to reach with Real Madrid. I think it would be unfair to sack Zidane but is it unfair to assume they will sack Zidane if they don't win a trophy?
"I really don't think it would be the right decision. Would the fact it's Zidane make a difference? I would hope so. He's so new into his career and it's a massive role for your first job as manager.
"I would hope he would still be Real manager for a good few more years. We should bear in mind he's got Real Madrid to where they are now this season so I don't feel the need for too much criticism.
"I understand the emotion of losing a big game to your biggest rivals. But he has them level with Barcelona with a game in hand and in a Champions League semi-final."
Gibson says it was too much of a risk to play the injury-plagued Welshman in such a big clash, and also admits there is not enough healthy competition within the Los Blancos squad.Zidane's side were beaten by Lionel Messi's last-minute strike in a thrilling Clasico on Sunday, a 3-2 defeat which also saw Gareth Bale brought off injured in the first half.
"The likes of Isco, Alvaro Morata and James Rodriguez have not performed well enough to be closer to the first XI. At least Zidane seems to see it that way. I don't think Morata v Karim Benzema has been a genuine competition this season."My one criticism would be he has got Real to this stage of the season by showing faith in the Gala [Galactico] XI. I'm not sure there's enough genuine competition for three or four places in that starting XI.
"Gareth Bale, as much as we've lauded him, has not been in the greatest form this season when he's been fit. To rush him back ahead of Isco, James and Lucas Vazquez, who performed really well, it seems Zidane has the trust to play these players against Sporting Gijon and teams like that.
"But when it comes to the starting XI, it's the tried and trusted formation. I'm not sure whether that is merited or deserved.
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