The five candidates to succeed Zidane

The huge news broke on Wednesday night when journalist Fabrizio Romano said Zidane was leaving. On Thursday morning, it was made official that Zinedine Zidane's spell as Real Madrid coach was coming to an end. 

It ends after a difficult two seasons and a bit which saw him win just the 2019-20 La Liga. There had been speculation for months that the coach would leave the club and that eventually happened. He was unable to replicate the success he had in his first spell which included three consecutive Champions Leagues between 2016 and 2018. 

'Zizou's departure is still very recent, but all eyes on who will take over from him. Just a few hours back, Max Allegri seemed to be in pole position, but now it seems like the Italian is debating between going to Inter or returning to Juventus. 

Apart from Allegri, there are now five people who could well become the new Real Madrid coach: three very well known faces and two others who were linked with a move to the Santiago Bernabeu in the past when things were difficult.

Conte, Raul and Xabi Alonso among the candidates

The person who has been linked the most is, without doubt, Antonio Conte. Numerous media outlets, both in Italy and in Spain, say it will be the Italian. He has become even more likely to go to the Spanish capital after his unexpected departure from Inter Milan. Changes are expected at Real Madrid and Conte has always shown he is very strict and that he does not give anyone preferential treatment. His detailed preparation and in depth tactics make him an ideal candidate.

There is another option though instead of Conte, who was linked with the club back in 2018 after Lopetegui left and even this season as well. That is Raul Gonzalez. The legendary '7', according to 'AS', has been contacted by the club to find out what he would do next season if he is finally the man they go for. 

The ex-footballer, who was big during his time as a player at the Bernabeu, has received praise while manager of the B team, Real Madrid Castilla. He is on the radar of several European clubs, but his team is obviously that of coaching the Real Madrid first team. That said, there are people at the club who think it might be too early for him to make the step up. They do not want to do that on the back of all of Zidane's success in the past. 

Other possibility is former Real Madrid and Liverpool player Xabi Alonso. He was at Real Madrid between 2009 and 2014 and he has got Real Sociedad B promoted to the second tier this season. His football and knowledge of the game mean he is a very good option both in the long and the short term. However, just like Raul, his relative inexperience could work against him. Although Zidane did not have much experience either, he had been Carlo Ancelotti's assistant in the 2013/14 season. 

Uncertainty over Pochettino and could Ancelotti return? 

Carlo Ancelotti seemed to be one of those most wanted by fans. The veteran Italian coach left great memories after two years in charge at the club. With him, Real Madrid won 'La Decima' and played very attractive football. Although he did not win any trophies in his final season, he had a very good relationship with the fans and the players (and he was famous for his leniancy), something which is still remembered today. However, he will be the most difficult to get out of all the candidates because Ancelotti is in the middle of an exciting project at Everton. 

The fifth and final name to be strongly linked with the job is someone who is always in the running when Real Madrid need a coach: Mauricio Pochettino. The Argentine has always said it would be a dream to take charge of Real. After a time in the Premier League, now he is at PSG, but he only won the French Cup this season. That is not enough for the Parisian outfit. That, combined with only a marginal improvement since Thomas Tuchel left, means the coach is under fire. In England, there were rumours of him leaving with immediate effect and both Real Madrid and Tottenham are reportedly interested in him. However, PSG published an interview which saw Pochettino talking about winning "big things in the future,". That has poured cold water over him leaving. 

Just a few weeks before the Euros and then pre-season after that, Real Madrid will have to choose wisely who they want to lead their project.