This week Real Madrid did something no team has achieved since AC Milan in the late-80s: They won the biggest trophy in European football two seasons in a row.
But the the clock is ticking on Zizou’s contract. With just one year left to run, and still no signature, it’s time to browse Paddy Power’s odds for the next Real Madrid manager.
How Has It Come to This?
According to reports, Zidane has had a contract sitting on his desk at Ciudad Real Madrid for months. The rumours are that he’s happy to stay, but maybe delaying to the end of the season was a smart negotiating tactic.
Having just won a league and European Cup double you can bet that Zidane is worth a lot more to Florentino Pérez now than when the contract was drawn up.
And with still no signature on that dotted line, it’s only fair to take bets on Zidane’s replacement.
Joachim Löw (5/2)
The favourite to take over at Los Merengues is the coach of the reigning world champions.
Löw’s experience at club level is minimal, but Real Madrid is a club that demands the top honours, and Löw has won the biggest of them all.
Antonio Conte (4/1)
If Zidane and Pérez can’t come to terms, Antonio Conte would be another good pick.
His record in Italy and now in England tells you all you need to know about his acumen and ability to keep a team focussed on a title push.
Like Zidane Conte is still locked in contract negotiations with his club, and he wouldn’t be able to turn down Real Madrid if they came calling.
Mauricio Pochettino (4/1)
A bit leftfield this one. Poch doesn’t really fit the profile of a Madrid coach, in that he hasn’t actually won anything yet.
But he is an exciting, upcoming manager with a clear footballing philosophy.We also now that he will never manage Barcelona because of his links to Espanyol, so if he does take a big job in Spain it will be probably be at the Bernabéu.
Massimo Allegri (6/1)
If you want an astute bet on the next Real Madrid manager, Zidane’s beaten Champions League rival could be worth a shout.
Like Conte, Allegri knows how to handle a domestic campaign, winning three consecutive titles with Juve and leading them to two European Cup finals
Best of the Rest
Arsène Wenger (10/1) has turned down Real Madrid many times, and has just signed a new deal at Arsenal.
Luis Enrique (10/1) had some good years in the capital during his playing days, but would be wise not to sign for Madrid so soon after leaving Barcelona. Luís Figo’s reception in 2000 will feel like a garden party.
Laurent Blanc (8/1) looks like a better call, and his stock will be high after helping to turn PSG into a European force.
Who Will Be the Next Real Madrid Manager?
Zidane is set to make a decision any day now, so if there’s something you know that nobody else does you don’t have long to put your money where your mouth is at Paddy Power.
