Real Madrid have called a press conference for 2.30pm local time when they are expected to announce the departure of coach Bernd Schuster.

Reports in Spain on Tuesday morning suggest Schuster is to be sacked and former Sevilla and Tottenham boss Juande Ramos brought in until the end of the season.

Schuster has been hanging onto his job by an ever-thinning thread in recent weeks with the Spanish champions currently fifth in the Primera Liga, nine points behind bitter rivals Barcelona who they face in El Clasico on Saturday.

The Madrid board have given Schuster several votes of confidence but Sunday's morale-crushing 4-3 home defeat to Sevilla looks like it could have been the final straw.

Reports suggest that Ramos could be in charge in time for the afternoon training session in the Spanish capital, scheduled for 5pm, and lead the team in Wednesday night's Champions League clash against Zenit St Petersburg.

Ramos has been without a job since leaving Tottenham Hotspur in October, following the Premier League club's worst ever start to the season.

A dejected Schuster seemed to have thrown in the towel following Sunday's 4-3 defeat at home to Sevilla when he admitted his side were incapable of winning El Clasico at Barcelona on Saturday.

"Right now it's not possible to win at the Nou Camp," he said.

Although the club have struggled this season, Schuster enjoyed a wonderful first year at the Bernabeu, retaining the Primera Liga crown his predecessor Fabio Capello claimed in 2007.

But attempts to win it for a third time have floundered due to Barca's resurgence under new boss Pep Guardiola and a spate of injuries.

Mali international Mahamadou Diarra yesterday became the latest Madrid player to be struck down after it emerged he will miss between six and nine months with a knee injury.

He joins Ruud van Nistelrooy, Gabriel Heinze, Pepe, Wesley Sneijder, Miguel Torres and Ruben de la Red in the treatment room.

Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas also gave an insight into the negativity surrounding the club today when he admitted they were not capable of challenging for the league title on current form.

He told radio programme El mirador de Punto Radio: "At the moment the team isn't capable of winning trophies because Barcelona lead us by nine points and it's true that they're playing well."

Casillas, who is rated as one of the world's best goalkeepers, was quick to put his hand up and take his share of responsibility for Madrid's dismal campaign.

"We are going through a bad run," he added. "Defensively we are vulnerable, and I'm the first (to blame).

"At the moment it seems that our opponents will have three chances and score three goals and it's clear that we are all to blame.

"I have been 10 seasons in the Primera Liga and this, for now, is the worst start I have had."

AC Milan star Kaka has 'already signed for Real Madrid', according to Zinedine Zidane.

An announcement on Kaka's future is expected on Monday as reports continue to suggest he is set to leave the San Siro.

Real are said to be the favourites to land the Brazilian's signature, although Chelsea are rumoured to have made a record-breaking offer for his services.

France legend Zidane, who played at Santiago Bernabeu for five years, believes a deal has been agreed to secure Kaka's move to Spain.

"Kaka has already signed for Real," Zidane said.

"I would be happy if he were to take my number, the No.5, I would not be jealous."