No Kepa, no Copa: Zidane's hanging by a thread

Zinedine Zidane threw down the gauntlet to Florentino Perez this month. He didn't want to sign goalkeeper Kepa from Athletic Club and the Real Madrid president was left without the signing he craved to compete with Barcelona in the January transfer window. 

The French coach managed to shield himself against his players by maintaining the integrity of the squad ("we don't need signings," he said) and also protected his son, the club's third choice goalkeeper. Having won two Champions Leagues gave Zidane enough rope to make the move despite Madrid's disastrous form in La Liga. 

But Perez has not just been left without Kepa because of Zidane anymore. He's now also been left without the Copa del Rey because of the coach's decisions. 

Leganes taught Madrid a lesson (winning 2-1 on the night and progressing on away goals) and once again it's a lesson which was given at the Santiago Bernabeu. Madrid have been beaten there more often than they would have liked this season in the league (three times) and now have a Copa disaster to add to those losses. 

Zidane only has the Champions League left and a tie against Paris Saint-Germain in the last 16. The only reason Perez has to not get rid of him is to not destabilise the team before that European tie. That's the final thread that is keeping Zidane on the Bernabeu bench. The Frenchman's job is now in Neymar's hands.