Real Madrid’s search for a new manager is in full swing, and the club has now identified their top managerial targets.
Going by the rumours in recent days, Jose Mourinho appears to be the top-placed candidate to arrive at the Valdebebas as the new manager. However, there are several other options being considered.
As relayed by Abraham Romero in a recent report, however, there are only two candidates in the race as matters stand, and the club have heavily filtered down their list.
Down from five
The Spanish journalist relays that Real Madrid began with a five-man shortlist that included Mauricio Pochettino, Jurgen Klopp, Jose Mourinho, Lionel Scaloni, and Didier Deschamps.
From that, only two names remain as strong contenders – Mourinho and Deschamps.
The club believe that only one type of manager succeeds at the club – the Carlo Ancelotti, Zinedine Zidane, and Jose Mourinho type of coaches who are strict and excellent man-managers.
Didier Deschamps is Real Madrid’s Plan B. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
In that sense, Mourinho is the top candidate to take over the position and is seen as the best option internally.
Concurrently, they have a Plan B, which is Didier Deschamps, a highly experienced manager who has successfully managed a star-studded French national team.
Scaloni, Nageslmann, Mauricio Pochettino, Massimiliano Allegri, and other initially linked names have all been discarded as matters stand.
With the end of the season nearing, Real Madrid do not have long to finalise a managerial appointment.
If they are to negotiate with Deschamps, they will likely have to wait until the end of the FIFA World Cup, and will thus activate that option only if the Mourinho deal falls apart.
As for Mourinho, the club is yet to negotiate with Benfica, but the Portuguese manager is expected to be available if a €3 million fee is paid.
