And Cristian Zapata, 26, arrived last summer after marshaling the defense of a horrible Villareal side that was relegated to the Spanishseconddivision.
Despite a recent draw against Barcelona at the Nou Camp, Valverde has paid the price for an inconsistent season which has also seen the club crash out of the Spanish Cup to seconddivision side Celta Vigo.
Real are certain to finish second in the Spanish First Division and sit 13 points behind champions Barcelona with just fixtures against Real Sociedad and Osasuna remaining.