Zinedine Zidane and Real Madrid is one of the most successful football pairings in the 21st century. In 2001, the Frenchman completed a sensational record breaking transfer from Juventus to the Spanish capital, where he enjoyed five triumphant seasons before hanging up his boots. The legendary player later returned to the club as manager, and helped Los Blancos in winning three successive Champions League titles between 2016 and 2018. Nonetheless, his 2019 return to the club hasn’t gone as smoothly as expected, and Real Madrid could once again part ways with their legend, and Massimiliano Allegri has been mentioned as a possible successor.
According to Cadena Ser (via Corriere Dello Sport), barring a sensational surprise, Zidane’s departure is now a certainty. The 1998 World Cup winner had secured another La Liga title last season with an incredible late charge after the restart of the season.
Nonetheless, the team’s fortunes have apparently changed with the start of the current campaign. The reigning champions now sit in 3rd place in league standings, 10 points adrift from their city rivals Atletico Madrid who also have a match in hand.
The club was also shockingly knocked of the Copa Del Rey round 32 by Alcoyano, and were as well eliminated by Athletic Bilbao in the semi final of the Spanish Super Cup.
Therefore, unless the French manager can save his season with another unlikely European triumph, president Florentino Perez will be the one to wield the axe this time.
According to the source, Allegri has been shortlisted by Real Madrid as a potential successor for Zizou.
However, the former Juventus and Milan tactician is not the only one of the list. Former club captain Raúl González is currently managing the club’s youth team – Real Madrid Castilla – and thus could be handed a promotion to the first team as it happened before with Zidane.
Although Raúl would be a hugely popular choice among the Madrid fans, Max Allegri’s experience and winning pedigree would arguably make him a wiser option.
The six time Scudetto winner had also been linked with the Roma hot-seat lately.