Mauricio Pochettino Emerges as Top Candidate for Major Role After USMNT Departure
Mauricio Pochettino has emerged as a potential candidate to take over as Real Madrid's next head coach, with the club considering alternatives to replace Álvaro Arbeloa.
The Spanish giants never disclosed the duration of Arbeloa's deal when he was swiftly elevated from Real Madrid Castilla coach to cover the vacancy created by Xabi Alonso's departure.
Performance has been inconsistent at best, with embarrassing and expensive losses to Albacete and Benfica serving as notable low points. Madrid also suffered consecutive La Liga defeats to Osasuna and Getafe before bouncing back with Friday's victory over Celta Vigo.
Perhaps only securing a record-breaking 16th Champions League title could provide Arbeloa with additional time in charge.
This doesn't automatically mean Arbeloa must depart the organization, as ESPN suggests he might be presented with an alternative role, possibly even returning to his previous Castilla position.
Pochettino's Career History Carries Appeal
Pochettino's Career History Carries Appeal
At the top level, a managerial switch appears more probable. The identical ESPN piece mentions that Pochettino is "held in high esteem" by Real Madrid chairman Florentino Pérez. His numerous advantages include familiarity with La Liga through his playing days at Espanyol—Barcelona's cross-town competitors, experience at prestigious clubs including Paris Saint-Germain, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea, plus a working relationship with Kylian Mbappé.
Pochettino, whose USMNT agreement expires following the 2026 World Cup and could therefore begin duties around July, has repeatedly expressed his ambition to return to Tottenham before retirement. However, whether the timing is appropriate remains questionable, given Spurs are battling the real possibility of Premier League relegation.
Manager Options Thin on the Ground for Real Madrid
Manager Options Thin on the Ground for Real Madrid
Spanish press has mentioned Jürgen Klopp, Unai Emery and Massimiliano Allegri as possibilities, but there isn't a clear frontrunner for Los Blancos like Xabi Alonso was as a former player twelve months ago.
Questions remain about Klopp's role within Red Bull's football structure, though whether he desires a return to coaching—particularly under Real Madrid's intense scrutiny—remains unknown. Emery has worked wonders at Aston Villa but is viewed more as a project developer than a manager of top-tier squads, while Allegri represents a risk having never coached outside Italy.
Zinedine Zidane, who has been inactive since departing Real Madrid for the second time in 2021—following a considerably less successful second tenure—is allegedly Pérez's "top choice." However, there's a persistent notion he has been waiting for the France national team position to become available, which will happen this year when Didier Deschamps steps down after the World Cup.