Monday 25 May 2015 19:36, UK
Following confirmation of Carlo Ancelotti’s departure from Real Madrid, we take a look at who’s in the frame for the vacant managerial role at the Bernabeu.
Having often spoken fondly at the notion of returning to Real Madrid as first team manager one day, Rafa Benitez’s dream could well be realised this summer. At 1/4, he’s the clear favourite to be in charge of Madrid on the opening day of next season, with his spell at Napoli seemingly coming to an end. The only thing standing in Benitez’s way of going back to the Bernabeu, where he started out as a coach, appears to be rumours of discontent at his potential appointment among the Madrid support. Nonetheless, he remains the bookies’ favourite.
Free to take on a new challenge after Sunday’s German Cup final, outgoing Dortmund manager Jurgen Klopp is linked with every potential vacancy at the highest level. Few levels are higher than the Bernabeu, but Klopp appears to thrive in an underdog role, as he did in leading Dortmund to back-to-back Bundesliga titles (2012/13, 2013/14) as well as their run to the 2013 Champions League final. As such, the expectancy that comes with the managerial role at Real Madrid may see the German reject any advances. For that reason, he’s only 9/2 to take charge of their first league game next term.
Benfica coach Jorge Jesus is a 10/1 outsider to replace Carlo Ancelotti after guiding the club to their second consecutive Portuguese title. It is the first time the club have managed such a feat in over three decades, and Jesus has been hailed for his diverse style of management. During his entertaining reign at Benfica, the club have notched over 650 goals, while they also have the ability to grind out results when necessary. Such traits are obviously of appeal to the Madrid board, but Jesus is thought to be a back-up option only.
Initially the 6/4 favourite to be Madrid’s next manager, the realisation that club legend Zinedine Zidane is not yet ready to manage the first team has seen his odds drift all the way out to 12/1. Zidane has had mixed fortunes in his first season as coach of Real Madrid Castilla – the club’s B team – having gone from top of Spain’s third tier in January to missing out on the promotion play-offs by the end of the season. Having only just completed his UEFA pro-licence, Zidane is expected to continue learning his trade before one day taking up the hot seat of the 10-time European champions.
As well as Zidane, Fernando Hierro is another club legend who is rumoured to be in the frame, but the assistant manager is given less of a chance than the Frenchman at 20/1. Michael Laudrup may not be held in such high regard as Zidane and Hierro, but he is fondly thought of at the Bernabeu and can be backed for the role at 25/1. Other outside candidates in the mix include Englishman Paul Clement (25/1) and Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri (25/1).
