Arbeola in temp charge 

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Xabi Alonso’s tenure at Real Madrid lasted just seven months with Florentino Pérez relieving the 44-year-old of his duties on Monday. The decision arrived just 24 hours after Barcelona’s triumph in the Super Cup final but the writing was already on the wall for Alonso well before then. The Spaniard forged an impressive reputation at Bayer Leverkusen after ending Bayern Munich’s dominance in the Bundesliga but he never enjoyed the same influence in Madrid.

Despite a respectable points per game record of 2.24, Alonso never commanded the respect of an egotistical Real Madrid dressing room, and that ultimately proved fatal. Alonso remains a coveted young coach and he won’t be short of suitors, but Madrid will now turn their attention to finding his successor. Álvaro Arbeloa has been installed as interim manager and it’s understood that Madrid are leaning towards waiting until the summer to appoint a new permanent boss. Therefore, Transfermarkt has identified five potential options to become the new head coach at the biggest club in the world.

Zinédine Zidane

Zidane has emerged as a leading candidate to complete an emotional return to Madrid for his third spell as head coach. The legendary Frenchman famously won three consecutive Champions Leagues with Madrid but he’s not taken another managerial role since departing in 2021. Zidane would be a popular choice amongst the players and possesses the man-management skills to unite a fragmented dressing room. Zidane admitted in November that he wants to return to management in the near future but he’ also stated his desire to take charge of France, and he has a verbal agreement to replace Didier Deschamps after the World Cup.

Thomas Tuchel

There’s an abundance of coaches out of contract this summer and Tuchel is the leading name. The German has been tasked with ending England’s trophy drought but he’s widely expected to leave for a return to club management, regardless of his fortunes. Tuchel is a world-class manager and an elite tactician with experience of working at major European clubs. He’s won the Champions League with Chelsea and league titles with Bayern Munich and PSG. 

Jürgen Klopp

Sky Sports Germany reported that Klopp could be convinced to return to management with Real Madrid but the 58-year-old swiftly distance himself from those claims. “Yes, there were definitely a few people who felt they had to contact me directly,” Klopp told ServusTV On. “First of all, I think it’s another sign that something isn’t quite right there at the moment.This has absolutely nothing to do with me, and it didn’t trigger anything for me either.” After leaving Liverpool, Klopp said he had no desire to return to management and is currently Head of Global Soccer at Red Bull, but there’s substantial doubts that he will stick to his word.

Enzo Maresca

Maresca is currently one of the favourites to replace Klopp and won’t cost anything after leaving Chelsea in January. The Italian departed Stamford Bridge with his reputation despite falling out with the club’s hierarchy. Maresca lifted two trophies during his 18-month spell at Chelsea and also ensured the Blues returned to Champions League football. Maresca has plenty of admirers across Europe and he’s been heavily linked with returning to Manchester City to replace Pep Guardiola. But the allure of managing Madrid would be almost impossible to turn down.

Julien Nagelsmann

Naglesmann has revealed that he turned down an approach from Madrid back in 2018 when Jose Angel Sanchez wanted him to replace Zidane. Then 32, Nagelsmann decided to remain at Hoffenheim before eventually joining RB Leipzig. The German’s subsequent spell at Bayern Munich divided opinion but he remains one of the best young coaches in the world. Nagelsmann’s contract with the German national team runs until 2028 but there’s uncertainty over whether he will remain after the World Cup.