Zidane out at Real Madrid: 5 managers who could replace him

Zinedine Zidane is out at Real Madrid. Here’s a look at five managers who could replace him.

With Zinedine Zidane gone, Real Madrid now need to spend part of their offseason searching for a replacement. While it should be no problem lining up suitors to take over at such a great club, the responsibility is immense.

The move came just five days after Zidane led the team to a third straight Champions League title. At a news conference on Thursday, Zidane said the club need “a different voice” going forward.

“This is the right moment for all involved,” he added.

In his three seasons at Real, the 45-year-old made history. He coached the club to three straight Champions League titles, putting this current incarnation of the team in the pantheon of European greats alongside Ajax of the 1970s and Barcelona of the early 2000s. But pressure finally took its toll on the Frenchman after the team’s recent Champions League conquest.

Zidane had taken over at the team at January 2016 after Rafael Benitez was sacked. Aside from the Champions League triumphs, Zidane helped steer the team to a 70 percent win rate en route to nine total trophies. This season was not without disappointment. Real finished third in La Liga this, 17 points behind winners and rivals Barcelona, and were eliminated from the Copa del Rey by Leganes in the quarterfinals.

In other words, these will be big shoes to fill for whoever Real gets to manage the club ahead of the 2018-19 season. Here are five men Real Madrid could sign to take the helm.