Real Madrid are eyeing up moves for Jurgen Klopp and Mauricio Pochettino with Alvaro Arbeloa expected to be moved on following their Champions League exit.
The Spaniard was only appointed earlier this season, taking over from Xabi Alonso, but the former Liverpool defender is unlikely to last the course after seeing Real go crashing out of Europe on Wednesday night. Los Blancos president Florention Perez is known for his lack of patience and the Spanish giants are already seeking their next big-name manager.
Ex-Liverpool boss Klopp has been linked with the post but is currently in a senior role with the Red Bull group. The German has been one of Europe's elite managers for more than a decade and may be tempted by a return to the dugout, reports the Daily Mail, especially if he feels he can claim top honours. His charisma has made him hugely popular at the clubs he's led previously.
It was only in March that Klopp claim reports of him heading to Madrid were false, but he may managed again. He said: "If Real Madrid had phoned, we would have heard about it by now. But that's all nonsense. Who knows what will happen in the coming years? But there's nothing planned."
Pochettino is another man on Real Madrid's radar. The 54-year-old has managed Tottenham, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain, but this summer will lead the USA at their home World Cup this summer and, depending on their performance, may be in the market for a new job.
Perez twice showed interest in Pochettino in the past, once when he was at Tottenham and then again when he was at PSG. The Argentine had a very good relationship with Kylian Mbappe at PSG and would likely reignite that with Frenchman if he moved to the Bernabeu.
Arbeloa had been in charge of Castilla, Madrid’s B team, before he was called up to replace Alonso. Despite presiding over some impressive performances, which included downing Manchester City in the Champions League, the Spanish giants will deem their season unsatisfactory.
Real have lost three of their last seven games in La Liga, which has left them trailing leaders Barcelona by nine points. They were also shocked by Albacete in the Copa del Rey, who dumped them out in the round of 16.
