By Tim Stannard

Zidane announced depature as Real Madrid boss

Just when a desperate Sports Burst was about to lead with a story about a rumor of an ingrowing toe-nail for Neymar, the wires went ballistic that Coach Zizou was now ex-Coach Zizou after the Real Madrid manager had announced at a hastily-arranged press conference that he was standing down with immediate effect. The decision comes just five days after Zidane had lead his team to a third straight Champions League final victory.

“This team needs to keep winning and it needs a change,” explained Zidane in rather a shock decision. “After three years it needs another way of working and this is why I have taken this decision.”

Real Madrid president, Florentino Perez, admitted that “the decision was unexpected. It’s a sad day for me, for the fans, for the players and for the people of this club.” Zidane noted that he had no plans to coach another team or take another job.

Pochettino leads way to be new Real Madrid boss

Within six seconds of Zizou’s announcement, a list of potentially new coaches was being bandied around a soccer media world that was cancelling that yoga retreat planned for the day. However, the to-do list for any new candidate is quite foreboding – win La Liga, win the Champions League and try and keep a squad of superstars happy. And maybe deal with Neymar.

Top of the list is Tottenham’s Mauricio Pochettino despite the fact that the Spurs boss has only just signed a deal to 2023 with the Premier League club. Antonio Conte is on the brink on leaving Chelsea and has a history of winning league titles. And there’s also Arsene Wenger who is currently footloose and fancy free. Or maybe Sports Burst’s favorite pick – Jurgen Klopp.

Tune into the XTRA at 7PM ET / 4PM PT for everything you could need to know on a dramatic day for Real Madrid.

Reprieve for Paolo Guerrero in World Cup return

What with the what now?

The Neymar toe-nail story pushed even further down? Looks like it, as there are celebrations ahoy in the Paolo Guerrero household – just the simple glass of water - as the Peru legend is going to the World Cup!

The striker had been serving a suspension due to a doping violation but a last-gasp appeal to the Swiss supreme court (don’t ask how and why) has been won and Guerrero is off to Russia.

The Peru man had tested positive for a metabolite of cocaine at a World Cup qualifying game against Argentina in October but the suspension has been temporarily unfrozen after a long campaign from Guerrero who claimed that the substance was taken unintentionally and was not performance enhancing.

City’s double deal, play-off power and Serena’s return

Sorry Neymar – not today.

Having to cram everything else in here. Apparently, Manchester City is signing both Riyad Mahrez (Leicester City) and Jorginhno (Napoli) within the week in a spending splurge of over $120m. Derby County has appointed Frank Lampard as new boss on a three-year deal. Inter boss, Luciano Spalletti says that he is powerless to stop Mauro Icardi from leaving the club if he really wants too.

Tennis! Serena Williams is back in action at the French Open in a round 2 clash against Ashleigh Barty. And quite frankly, if Serena is playing…then nothing else matters. Except the start of the NBA play-off finals between the Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Again.

Tune into the XTRA at 7PM ET / 4PM PT to look at who is the most valuable to their team – LeBron, Messi, Ronaldo or Neymar.

WHAT IS SPORTS BURST?

The life philosophy of Sports Burst is that if you are not upsetting someone, then you are not trying hard enough. Sports Burst is a daily trawl and troll through the morning's sports news to bring you fact-nuggets to make you both smile and swear. Hopefully at the same time.