Real Madrid could be in the market for a new manager this summer and two names linked with the top job at the Bernabeu are Mauricio Pochettino and Jose Mourinho.
With his side currently third in La Liga and nine points behind leaders Barcelona, Real head coach Santiago Solari is under pressure following the 3-0 home defeat against the Catalans in the Copa del Rey semi-final second-leg on Wednesday.
Solari’s task does not get any easier as Real again host Barcelona in a La Liga El Clasico at the Bernabeu on Saturday evening (7.45pm GMT, live on Eleven Sports).
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Spanish newspaper Marca says that Solari’s “lives are running out” at Real Madrid but no decisions will be made on his future just yet.
The Daily Mail adds that despite the hammering by Barcelona Solari is still safe. However, he will face more pressure if they lose again on Saturday.
Should Solari get the sack before the end of the campaign or in the summer, there are a number of names tipped to replace him.
Spurs fear Poch will quit
The Sun says that Tottenham fear manager Mauricio Pochettino will quit the club this summer and join Real Madrid.
Following last weekend’s 2-1 loss at Burnley Pochettino said it may take “five or ten years” for Spurs to win a Premier League title and their chances this season were severely hit after losing 2-0 at Chelsea on Wednesday night.
Pochettino, 46, has been heavily linked with Real in recent months and the Sun says that the Argentine has told Spurs chairman Daniel Levy “his burning ambition is to win titles”.
Calderon tips Mourinho to return
Former Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon has tipped Jose Mourinho to become the club’s next manager, the Daily Mail reports.
Mourinho is out of work after being sacked by Manchester United in December and he was formerly the manager of Real between 2010 and 2013.
Calderon believes the Portuguese will return to the Spanish capital and he tweeted: “I have a feeling, and maybe a little more, that Mourinho will be on the Real Madrid bench next season.”
Real Madrid next manager odds
According to Paddy Power Mourinho is favourite to replace Solari at Real Madrid. Spurs boss Pochettino, former Chelsea manager Antonio Conte and Juventus chief Massimiliano Allegri are also contenders.
- Jose Mourinho: 7/4
- Mauricio Pochettino: 11/4
- Antonio Conte: 7/1
- Massimiliano Allegri: 7/1
- Joachim Low: 7/1
- Leonardo Jardim: 10/1
- Guti: 11/1
- Fernando Hierro: 20/1
- Xabi Alonso: 25/1
- Raul: 25/1
- Aitor Karanka: 33/1
- Arsene Wenger: 33/1
- Roberto Martinez: 33/1
- Jupp Heynckes: 33/1
- Michael Laudrup: 33/1
- Carlo Ancelotti: 40/1
