Zizou leaves five days after Real's UCL success
He led Real to their 3rd straight UCL title
Who will succeed Zidane?
Where does he head next?
Zinedine Zidane has announced his shock departure from current European Champions Real Madrid, shortly after guiding them to their 3rd straight UCL title. This shocking announcement has taken the footballing world by storm.
Zidane 45, had taken over from Rafael Benitez on the 4th of January 2016 and has since won the UCL every season, a La Liga title, two FIFA Club World Cups, two UEFA Super Cups, a Copa Del Rey, Spanish Super Cup and World's Best Manager.
With a total of 9 trophies, his managerial record stands at 104 wins with 29 draws, taking his win percentage rate to 69.8%.
His departure may have come based upon Madrid's domestic campaign this season. They finished 3rd in La Liga, trailing rivals FC Barcelona to a 17-point lead. They were also knocked out in the quarter-final stages of the Copa Del Rey by Leganes.
Zidane is still a young manager and now looks to the next manager to continue bringing success to this historic club. Whether or not he takes a short-term sabbatical from management is yet to be known but if he doesn't, with his resume, he will be appointed to a top European side within no time.
Possible Managers to succeed Zidane at Real Madrid
1. Arsene Wenger, 68:
At the beginning of the 2016-17 season, no one would have dreamt Arsene Wenger being linked with a managerial job to Real Madrid. But, upon ending his 22-year stay with the Gunners, here we are!
With the experience and philosophy that he possesses, and with a historic club like Real Madrid, it would be the perfect fit. Having the knowledge of 5 languages, Spanish being one, eliminates the language barrier. But, his interest still needs to be confirmed and also whether he favors a move to the European Champions over the mere possibility of a future job with the France National team.
2. Mauricio Pochettino, 46:
Mauricio Pochettino being linked is an absolute no-brainer, especially with the last two seasons he had with Tottenham Hotspur, qualifying for the UCL in both seasons and is admired for his ability to get the best out of young players.
But, the biggest problem arising would be the new 5-year deal he just signed with the North London side. If Real wish to acquire his services, they will have to pay a heavy fee to Spurs. Another notable fact is that Pochetinno hasn't won a single title with Tottenham in his managerial reign yet.
If Real want long-term success, Pochettino is the best manager available and they will have to go all out to bring him to the club.
3. Luis Enrique, 48:
Former Barcelona and Roma manager Luis Enrique is another that Real Madrid should seriously begin considering. The former Real Madrid player's managerial resume includes two La Liga titles, 3 Copa Del Reys, a UCL title, Spanish Super Cup and World's Best Coach, boasting a path similar to Zidane.
He is likely to become a manager before this season begins with Chelsea as a preferred destination. If Real are considering hiring Enrique, they need to do it before he is offered a contract elsewhere.
4. Eusebio Di Francesco, 48:
In his first season with Roma, Di Francesco had a brilliant campaign, especially in the Champions League, with their triumphant victory over Madrid's rivals Barcelona.
Reaching the semi-final stages of the UCL for Roma is already a brilliant achievement and earning qualification to the UCL once again proves that he's managed the club well.
He also prefers playing a 4-3-3 formation, one of the only known Serie A managers to play this formation, which is also preferred by Real Madrid and is known to get the best out of young dynamic players.
5. Rudi Garcia, 54:
Rudi Garcia had a fantastic Europa League campaign with Marseille this season, taking them to the final which unfortunately ended in a losing effort, along with gaining Europa League football for another season.
With just one-year remaining on his current deal, he remains a good manager that the club can explore before making their final decision.
Notable Mentions:
Antonio Conte, 48 looks increasingly likely to leave Chelsea in the coming days. He is among a few managers to win the Premier League title in his debut English season but finished a disappointing 5th in the PL this table.
Simone Inzaghi, 42 has had a fantastic campaign with Lazio, guiding them to a UCL qualification play-off round with a 4th placed finish.
Maurizio Sarri 59, has been exceptional with Napoli in the Serie A this season, pushing Juventus to their limit in their title challenge, finishing 2nd. He is moving closer to a move with Chelsea but may change his mind with the Real job now available.
But, one major problem all three managers face is the selection of the 3-4-3 formation which Real have never been comfortable playing.
Spanish managers Marcelino 52, and Javier Calleja 40, of La Liga, sides Valencia and Villareal respectively had excellent domestic campaigns this season, finishing 4th and 5th respectively and qualifying for Europe.
Rui Faria 42, would be an interesting name to be linked with the Real Madrid job. Having departed his post as the assistant Man United manager last season, the Portuguese had been Jose Mourinho's right-hand man for nearly seventeen years, with Porto, Chelsea, Inter, Man United and also Real Madrid.
Where does Zidane head next?
Zidane's resume now boasts a total of 9 trophies within a two and a half year period with Real, and winning 3 consecutive UCL titles in a row, he would have many suitors coming his way.
If Chelsea decides to part ways with Antonio Conte, the job is open. Managers such as Maurizio Sarri, Laurent Blanc have already started getting linked to the job but Zidane is the perfect fit for Chelsea. He can focus his target on challenging for the PL title but will be without UCL football.
He can even decide to move to head into international management. France and Spain come as the two best fits if a manager's post gets vacated as there wouldn't be a language barrier.
Spanish managers Marcelino 52, and Javier Calleja 40, of La Liga, sides Valencia and Villareal respectively had excellent domestic campaigns this season, finishing 4th and 5th respectively and qualifying for Europe.
Rui Faria 42, would be an interesting name to be linked with the Real Madrid job. Having departed his post as the assistant Man United manager last season, the Portuguese had been Jose Mourinho's right-hand man for nearly seventeen years, with Porto, Chelsea, Inter, Man United and also Real Madrid.
Where does Zidane head next?
Zidane's resume now boasts a total of 9 trophies within a two and a half year period with Real, and winning 3 consecutive UCL titles in a row, he would have many suitors coming his way.
If Chelsea decides to part ways with Antonio Conte, the job is open. Managers such as Maurizio Sarri, Laurent Blanc have already started getting linked to the job but Zidane is the perfect fit for Chelsea. He can focus his target on challenging for the PL title but will be without UCL football.
He can even decide to move to head into international management. France and Spain come as the two best fits if a manager's post gets vacated as there wouldn't be a language barrier.
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