Real Madrid want new manager in place before World Cup
Senior management understand the importance of announcing Zidane's replacement before Russia 2018 kicks off, with media impact and staffing decisions in mind.
Real Madrid want to have a new manager confirmed before next Thursday, the opening day of the World Cup in Russia.
Madrid's management decisions
The Spanish club has been without a coach for over a week and, despite some plans moving forward, the situation is paralysing strategic decisions including final details to the preseason schedule but, more importantly, the ins and outs of the playing staff.
In addition to these important areas, the club understands the media impact of announcing the man who will succeed Zidane. The World Cup has the footballing world gripped and that can take the shine off the presentation of the new coach. This is why the senior management in Madrid are pushing to get their new man - someone who fits the criteria of Florentino Pérez - over the line and in place before Fifa's tournament kicks off.
Discrete negotiations
In the background, Los Blancos are negotiating, discreetly, but intensively. Most of this is being done by intermediaries who have been testing the ground in the most sensitive of cases, those of coaches who are under contract, the likes of Pochettino and Klopp. The Argentine is still the number one option for Madrid in spite of the headline message that he has been discarded, but Daniel Levy, Tottenham's president, is still unlikely to let his man leave.
Guti and Tite contrasts
In-house, former player Guti waits. He has been moved up to favourite with the bookmakers - influenced by recent comments in Spain - and is certainly on the list of potential candidates at the club. He has nothing complicating an announcement, nor would he have anything to get in the way of starting on the outstanding issues immediately.
In contrast, another candidate to fill Zidane's shoes was reported in Brazil on Friday evening, their national team coach, Tite. His contract with the Brazilian federation ends following their World Cup exploits however he does have the option to renew that for four more years. If Madrid can convince him to take charge - especially with thoughts on his close relationship with transfer target Neymar - they may have to hold out on any announcement until after their Russian adventure, while making the rest of their plans behind the scenes.
There is of course the prospect of a surprise appointment being just around the corner...
