Real Madrid won't fire Zinedine Zidane after shocking Copa del Rey exit?

A defiant Zinedine Zidane explained in early December that he would not step down as Real Madrid manager after Los Blancos fell to minnows Alaves and were in danger of missing out on the Champions League group stages. 

After a shocking defeat to third-tier Alcoyano in Wednesday's Copa del Rey match, Real are reportedly keen on sticking with Zidane into the foreseeable future.

According to ESPN's Rodrigo Faez and Adriana Garcia, Real are looking to keep Zidane as manager through at least the end of the current season. Club officials intend to meet with Zidane in the summer, and in the meantime hope that he can guide Real to La Liga and Champions League titles. 

Real are the reigning league champions and currently sit second in the table on 37 points, four behind leaders Atletico Madrid. 

Zidane has been widely criticized not only because of the team's results, but also because he has largely relied on veteran players over younger talents. This wouldn't be an issue if the team routinely won in knockout games, but there's currently no indication his squad is on the verge of completing a magical run and hoisting one or two of the available trophies before the summer months. 

ESPN added that Zidane is "'worried' about the situation but has no intention to resign" after his side was unceremoniously bounced from the Spanish Super Cup and Copa del Rey competitions.