Mauricio Pochettino ‘leading candidate’ for managerial role at Real Madrid

Ex-Tottenham Hotspur boss Mauricio Pochettino is in the pole position to become the next manager of Real Madrid, as per Diario AS.

Madrid are understandably on the lookout for a new manager as current head coach Carlo Ancelotti has been heavily linked with an exit this summer.

Reports continue to suggest that Ancelotti has a higher chance of moving to the Brazilian national team, who are optimistic about appointing the Italian gaffer as their head coach.

Pochettino has been without a job since he was sacked by Paris Saint-Germain last year.

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly vying for the Argentine’s return, who is among the candidates for the managerial role following the dismissal of Antonio Conte.

However, Madrid are now looking to throw a spanner in the works of the Lilywhites as they have earmarked Pochettino as their No.1 target.

Los Merengues president Florentino Perez is said to be an admirer of the former Espanyol gaffer, who he believes is the ideal figure to take over at Santiago Bernabeu this summer.

Pochettino is no stranger to Madrid, as he was on the club’s radar several times in the past.

The 51-year-old had a tremendous impact during his stint with Spurs, transforming them into a regular top-four contender in the Premier League and helping them reach the finals of the Champions League in the 2018/19 season.

His time at PSG didn’t pan out well, as the repeated failure in the Champions League led to his departure.

Julian Nagelsmann, who was recently sacked by Bayern Munich, is also on the wishlist of the Spanish giants for the managerial position.

However, the young German gaffer is not in a hurry to decide on his future and rather prefers a move to the Premier League.