MX23RW : Thursday, December 3 23:30:41| >> :60:3150:3150:

Real Madrid 'identify two-man shortlist to replace Zinedine Zidane'

Real Madrid 'identify two-man shortlist to replace Zidane'
© Reuters
Real Madrid reportedly identify Mauricio Pochettino and Raul as two potential candidates to replace under-fire manager Zinedine Zidane.

Real Madrid have identified Mauricio Pochettino and Raul as two potential candidates to replace manager Zinedine Zidane, according to a report in Spain.

Defeat to Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday night was Real's fifth in just 16 matches this campaign, which has thrown Zidane's future in doubt.

The Frenchman has made it clear to the board that he will not resign and Real Madrid hope that he can turn it around, but the club do have plans in place if they feel that the time is right for Zidane to move on.

Pochettino is thought to be Los Blancos' top target, having previously come close to appointing the Argentine as Rafael Benitez's successor only for Daniel Levy to refuse to let his then-manager go.

MARCA reports that Pochettino would be interested in taking over at the Bernabeu and that a contract agreement would be relatively straightforward due to their talks in the past.

However, Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United have also been linked with the former Tottenham Hotspur boss, so Madrid have reportedly lined up club legend Raul as a second option.

Raul, who was Madrid's all-time leading scorer until Cristiano Ronaldo overtook his record, is currently in charge of the club's Castilla team and is viewed as a definite future coach of the first team.

However, the board are reluctant to appoint him so early in his coaching career, particularly with the first team struggling for form as they currently are.

Zidane has guided Los Blancos to three Champions League triumphs and two La Liga titles during two spells with the Spanish giants since 2016.

ID:424901:cQx

Zinedine Zidane future - Click here for more stories

Click here for more stories about Mauricio Pochettino

Click here for more stories about Manchester United

Share this article now:
Did you know...?
Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino reacts on November 9, 2019
Read Next:
Pochettino 'waiting for PSG job amid Real Madrid links'
>
Latest Sports Video
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.

rhs 2.0
Todays Game Header Right
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Tottenham HotspurSpurs106312191221
2Liverpool106312217521
3Chelsea1054122101219
4Leicester CityLeicester106041914518
5West Ham UnitedWest Ham105231711617
6Southampton105231916317
7Wolverhampton WanderersWolves105231111017
8Everton105141917216
9Manchester UnitedMan Utd95131616016
10Aston Villa95042013715
11Manchester CityMan City94321511415
12Leeds UnitedLeeds104241517-214
13Newcastle UnitedNewcastle104241215-314
14Arsenal104151012-213
15Crystal Palace104151215-313
16Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton102441416-210
17Fulham102171119-87
18West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom10136718-116
19Burnley9126417-135
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd10019416-121

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!