Between Pochettino and Raúl for Real Madrid coaching job

Real Madrid is reformulating its strategy after Massimiliano Allegri, who was the club’s number one choice to replace Zinedine Zidane, opted to take the Juventus job. Following that setback, Madrid’s bosses are taking their time to explore all of the options available on the market.

As previously reported by AS, Mauricio Pochettino is the favoured option among the Madrid board, who believe that his philosophy and personality is well suited to the club.

Now, this newspaper can report that Madrid has indeed made the first moves towards bringing the Argentine to the Bernabéu. After Poch, Raúl is the second most favoured option for Zidane’s position.

It is clear that Madrid doesn’t want to enter official talks with Pochettino, as he is a coach with a contract with PSG, a club with which president Florentino Pérez has a great relationship. And with the signing of Kylian Mbappé on the horizon, Pérez certainly does not want to do anything to upset that relationship. With Madrid’s hands tied, at least Pochettino's camp has reacted to the possibility of him coaching Madrid, which has long been a desire of his. Everything is clear between the two parties.

Pochettino must make first moves

But Pochettino must be the first to speak. Real Madrid knows that it will be very difficult to get him out of Paris, although the club is confident that next week Pochettino could take the first steps by telling PSG president Nasser Al Khelaifi that he has made the decision to leave Parc des Princes.

That is the only way for him to end up at Madrid, where it is well known that the Argentine coach has an excellent relationship with Mbappé and that having him as coach would make the move to the Bernabéu even more appealing for the French star.

On the other hand, Real Madrid’s interest in Pochettino coincides with that of his old club Tottenham. Spurs chairman Daniel Levy is already in talks with him in a bid to get him back to North London. This will make the operation more expensive for Madrid should the Argentine eventually choose the Bernabéu option.

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Antonio Conte

Meanwhile, Antonio Conte is another name on the table of the Madrid boardroom. There were contacts with the Italian, but reports have reached the Bernabéu that indicate that he is too abrupt in his methods and coaching style, a methodology that might not match the philosophy of Real Madrid. Despite that, he is still not being ruled out as an option. He is also of interest to Tottenham. And if he did move to North London, it would pave the way for Madrid to tie up Pochettino.

Either way, reports on several different coaches continue to arrive at the Bernabéu offices. All options are being considered and with a certain level of calm because, whatever happens, the club knows it has its back covered with Raúl. But Pochettino is the favoured one to lead the new project. Now it is up to Pochettino to make the first moves.