Report: Zinedine Zidane returning to coach Real Madrid

MADRID (AP) — Zinedine Zidane will reportedly return to coach Real Madrid, the club he led to three straight Champions League titles.

Spanish television channel La Sexta says the former France great will replace Santiago Solari.

In less than a week, Madrid twice lost to Barcelona and once to Ajax, being eliminated from the Champions League and the Copa del Rey, and seeing its Spanish league title chances all but end.

It wasn’t clear if Zidane would arrive for the remainder of the Spanish league or if he would return for next season.

Zidane quit not long after Madrid won the Champions League title last season, saying that he and the club needed a change in command to keep succeeding.

Zidane was expected to be in charge of Tuesday’s practice session, and his first game back would be on Saturday at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium against Celta Vigo.

The club was not expected to officially confirm any changes until the board of directors met later Monday.