Real Madrid have sacked the Spanish manager after a dismal start to the season. Who can replace Julen Lopetegui at Real Madrid?
Dreams are made at Real Madrid. And the manager’s seat in the home dugout at Santiago Bernabeu, has, for years, remained one of the most dreamable jobs in football.
In the last 24 hours, however, a few things have changed.
Many have succumbed to the pressure which comes with that manager’s seat, and the latest addition to the long list is the Spanish Julen Lopetegui. Four months after appointing him for one of the most glamorous roles in football, the Real Madrid board conducted a board meeting in the wake of a 5-1 drubbing to arch-rivals Barcelona.
Result? ‘Communicado Oficial.’
And so, we find ourselves asking the same questions we did after Zinedine Zidane’s shock resignation, merely five days after lifting the Champions League for the third consecutive time.
Who can be the next Real Madrid boss?
TheSportsRush takes a look at some of the early candidates for the highly-coveted seat at Santiago Bernabeu.
Antonio Conte:
The Italian enjoyed success in his very first season in the Premier League, when he brought the title to Stamford Bridge after a fairly disastrous season for the Blues. Conte revolutionalized the playing-style in the Premier League, and his ‘three-at-the-back’ can only do good for Real Madrid at the moment.
His reliance on wing-backs is opportune for a side like Real Madrid, who boast of two of the finest full-backs in the world – Marcelo and Dani Carvajal.
However, he has anger issues, which was evident even during his stay at Stamford Bridge, where he fell out with Diego Costa. With the presence of big egos in Real Madrid’s dressing room, his appointment might have a significant impact on the side.
Mauricio Pochettino:
The current Tottenham boss was heavily linked with the Real Madrid job after Zidane’s resignation, even when he had just signed a new contract at the English club. Pochettino’s football is fiery, fast-paced and attacking – which is an advantage over Conte, as this is exactly how Real Madrid have played in the last few years.
While Pochettino has failed to win silverware with Tottenham, he improved the squad immensely. With almost 1/10th the net spend of the other clubs in the Premier League top-6, Pochettino has delivered qualification to Champions League ever since he joined Tottenham.
The Argentine may be expensive for Real Madrid due to his new contract, but then, again – is there anything expensive for Real Madrid.
Roberto Martinez
Don’t be surprised. Roberto Martinez doesn’t have much of a ‘big-club’ experience, but the Spanish manager has enjoyed an excellent time with Belgium, as he guided the team to a third-place finish in the World Cup this summer.
He was credited with building a ‘possession-based’ style of football during his time in England with Swansea City, Wigan Athletic and Everton. With Everton, he inclined towards playing from the back as well, attaining varying degrees of success. He tends to have a defensive approach towards the game, which is something which Real Madrid could do with at the moment.
Jose Mourinho:
The Portuguese had earlier been with Real Madrid for three seasons. However, as with his job at Chelsea, his final season ended with more controversies than trophies. He fell out with some of the senior players of the squad, including Cristiano Ronaldo.
However, Florentino Perez always had a liking for the Portuguese manager. During his time at Manchester United, he stabilised a sinking ship, winning three trophies in his first season. After a shaky start to the current season, United seem to return to track after spirited display of performances in their last few games.
His achievements need no introduction. He has won a La Liga with Real Madrid. However, former Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon has admitted that it would be difficult to persuade Mourinho to leave Manchester United.
Our Opinion:
The recent sacking of Julen Lopetegui puts to surface the expectations from a manager at Real Madrid. After merely 14 games this season, Florentino Perez is on the lookout for a new manager at the club.
All the candidates come with hefty experience. Style of play and tactical understanding withstanding, the ability to handle pressure is a significant aspect for the Real Madrid role.
In his time with the Italian national team, Juventus and Chelsea, Antonio Conte has shown character, while gaining significant success. His appointment could be a cultural shift for Real Madrid, who have flourished under less-authoritative managers in the recent past (bar Mourinho, who eventually had a fall-out with the squad in his final season). Perez, however, needs to address the concerns inside the dressing room, which has become far too comfortable at the moment.
While his style might not exactly suit the history of Real Madrid, it might exactly be what the Spanish side needs at the moment.
