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Real Madrid might fire Zinedine Zidane if they don’t win the Champions League final
Unai Emery is in waiting, apparently? Come on, Florentino.
Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images
Zinedine Zidane has transformed Real Madrid since taking over as manager. His players love him, and he’s guided the team to the Champions League final, despite most feeling like this was a lost season for Los Merengues. And yet, he might get fired if he doesn’t beat Atlético Madrid on Saturday.
Sevilla manager Unai Emery is apparently lined up to be the next Real Madrid boss in the event Florentino Pérez is dissatisfied with the team’s performance in the Champions League final. Which is so very Florentino Pérez, we’d expect nothing less.
If he gets fired, hopefully Zidane gets a big job and sticks it to Madrid at every opportunity. Though it would clearly be better if he just had some security in his current job, the one he’s proven he deserves.
Compilation of the day
All of Robert Lewandowski’s league goals. (Bundesliga)
In the news
Manchester United have officially hired José Mourinho. (Manchester United FC)
Sergio Busquets has signed a new contract. (Barcelona)
Silvio Berlusconi says it’s time for him to leave Milan. Maybe he really means it this time? (Football Italia)
Kaká is going to replace Douglas Costa in Brazil’s Copa América squad. (BBC)
Didier Deschamps is going to sue Eric Cantona for accusing him of racism. (Guardian)
The MLS All-Star game is on July 28, in San Jose, against Arsenal. (ESPN FC)
You can vote for your favorites here. (MLS)
Wolfsburg have signed Yannick Gerhardt from Cologne. (Bundesliga)
Fabian Delph is out for Euro 2016. (Mirror)
You should be reading
Matt Stanger on Riyad Mahrez’s time at St. Mirren in Scotland. (The Set Pieces)
Kieron O’Connor on Brentford’s finances and how they compete with bigger teams. (Swiss Ramble)
Louise Taylor on Sheffield Wednesday’s revival. (Guardian)
What happened on Thursday
Lyon won the women’s Champions League final thanks to two big penalty saves by Sarah Bouhaddi.
Pachuca took the lead over Monterrey in the Liga MX final. (ESPN FC)
What to watch this weekend (click for listings, all times ET)
Championship: Hull City vs. Sheffield Wednesday (Saturday, 12 p.m.) -- The Premier League promotion playoff final, AKA the richest game in sports.
Champions League: Real Madrid vs. Atlético Madrid (Saturday, 2:45 p.m.) -- The big one. The “if you watch one game all year” game. That one. Watch it.
Friendly: USA vs. Bolivia (Saturday, 8 p.m.) -- Let’s see if Jurgen Klinsmann learned anything from the Ecuador game.
Liga MX: Monterrey vs. Pachuca (Sunday, 9:30 p.m.) -- The second leg of the final.
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