Mauricio Pochettino and Raul ‘being eyed up by Real Madrid to replace under-fire Zidane’ after Champions League shocker
REAL MADRID are reportedly considering Mauricio Pochettino and Raul as their next manager if they decide to sack Zinedine Zidane.
Spanish outlet AS claim that Los Blancos president Florentino Perez considers the pair viable replacements if he parts company with the under-fire Frenchman.
The report adds that Perez thinks Raul, who won 16 trophies in 16 years at the Santiago Bernabeu, is the ‘ideal option’.
It was the 73-year-old who insisted the Spanish icon return to the capital to take over the club’s reserve team Real Madrid Castilla.
Another option remains Pochettino, who has been without a team since he was axed by Spurs last November.
The Argentine has also been linked with taking over Manchester United if they decide to get rid of boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
But Poch claimed last month that it was ‘his dream’ to manage Real at some point in his career.
Madrid chief Zidane is already under intense pressure just six games into the new season.
Los Blancos slumped to a 3-2 defeat in their Champions League opener against a Shakhtar Donetsk side missing TEN players on Wednesday.
That performance came four days after they suffered a first domestic loss of the season as they fell 1-0 to LaLiga new boys Cadiz last weekend.
Both defeats came on home turf.
Zidane took over an hour to arrive for his post-match press conference on Wednesday after reportedly giving his flops an almighty talking-to.
After the game, Zidane eventually told reporters: “We lacked the confidence to start the game as we know how.
“In the first half I did not see the team I wanted to see and that is my fault.
“I have to find the solutions that will make us be strong again and get back to winning.
“We lacked a bit of everything – but confidence is the most important thing.”
Zizou had guided his side to a first league title in three years only in July but is now under pressure going into El Clasico with Barcelona on Saturday.