Zinedine Zidane could be coaching Real Madrid's B team Castilla in Spain's second tier in the coming season, should financial issues see Murcia and Real Zaragoza forced down a division.
Former Galactico Zidane, 42, is to take his first head coach job with Madrid's youth side, who at present are set to be playing in the Segunda B [third tier] alongside minnows such as Toledo and Fuenlabrada, as well as Atletico Madrid B and Getafe B.
However that situation could now change with the 20 teams to take places in the Segunda Division yet to be finalised and a number of clubs not yet submitting sufficient proof of their economic well-being to the league authorities.
La Liga president Javier Tebas has said in AS that Murcia and Zaragoza are two of the sides who could be forcibly relegated if they cannot show their financial houses are in order.
"Murcia and Zaragoza are in a difficult situation," Tebas said. "If they do not improve their financial situation they will not be in the Liga Adelante (Segunda). They have a month to try to improve, and if they do not achieve that they will not be registered in the competition."
Osasuna, who have just been relegated from the Primera Division, are also in danger of immediately dropping down another tier due to financial issues. The first club to potentially benefit from any forced relegation would be Mirandes, who finished 19th in La Segunda last season. Castilla, who finished 20th, are next in line for a reprieve.
Zaragoza are reportedly 100 million euros in debt and currently in the process of being sold, with a group of local businessmen having taken over control of the club after former president Agapito Iglesias left in disgrace in June.
Pakistani businessman Sadir Sheikh claims he will be Zaragoza's new owner but competing versions of the situation have been made public by various sides involved. "Confusion has reached its most absolute level at Real Zaragoza and among 'zaragocismo,'" according to AS, which reports that former Zaragoza and Tottenham midfielder Nayim is backing Sheikh's bid.
The final list of 20 teams for Spain's top flight in the coming campaign has not been finalised either -- with last season's Segunda champions Eibar still to raise the funds they need to complete their forced conversion into a limited company.
The tiny Basque club are, however, reportedly closing in on the 1.7 million euros in "capital" that they need to raise by Aug. 6 to be admitted to the Primera Division.
Liga chief Tebas told El Pais that he was confident Eibar would be able to enjoy the fruits of their excellent work on and off the pitch.
"I am sure that their promotion they will follow the same line," he said. "They have been an example in financial and sporting excellence this year."