Pochettino link to Real as Zidane quits Madrid
TOTTENHAM boss Mauricio Pochettino is favourite to take over at Real Madrid after Zinedine Zidane’s shock exit.
The Frenchman led the Spaniards to their fourth Champions League trophy in five years on Saturday - and third under his management - by masterminding victory over Liverpool in Kiev.
However, a disappointing La Liga campaign which saw Real struggle to finish third, 17 points behind their title-winning foes Barcelona, was plagued by speculation about Zidane’s longterm future.
Real president Florentino Perez said he had only heard of Zidane’s decision to quit late on Wednesday.
“I’ve made the decision not to continue next year as Real Madrid’s head coach,” said Zidane.
“I spoke with (Perez) to see what he thought and I think it’s the right time for everyone: for me, the staff and the club... It’s strange for me, but it’s important that I do this for everybody.
“This team must keep winning and to do that they need a change. I believe that after three years they need a new voice, another methodology, and that is why I’ve made this decision.
“I love this club very much and also the president, who gave me the opportunity to come and play in Madrid, at this great club, and I will be grateful for the rest of my life. But today we had to make a change.”
The former Real and Juventus midfielder was understood to be under contract in Madrid until 2020.
Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger and the Italian Maurizio Sarri, most recently of Napoli, have also been linked with the role. PEP Guardiola will make it a mission to stop Real Madrid from winning a fourth straight Champions League - but insists he wouldn’t swap Europe’s grandest prize for domestic success.
The Catalan led City to a recordbreaking season on their way to the Premier League title - and is determined to create a dynasty at the Etihad after signing a new threeyear contract.
But the club’s Abu Dhabi owners are desperate for European silverware - and the imminent signings of Riyad Mahrez and Jorginho for a combined fee of around £120m are expected to push them closer to Champions League glory.
Guardiola hailed Zinedine Zidane’s achievements at Real as ‘spectacular’ after the Spanish giants were crowned European champions for the third year in succession. Now Zidane has decided to step down, he will have a new foe at the Bernabeu to try and overcome - but is adamant domestic success is his priority.
“To me personally, when at first they ask me what I want to win, I always say that the League is the most important - the Premier , the Bundesliga, the Spanish League, because for 11 months Barcelona has had complete happiness, every week,” he said.
“If Madrid has done better in Europe, all that is left is to congratulate them.”
Saturday’s victory over Liverpool continued Real’s European domination - winning their fourth Champions League in five years.
For Zidane, it is three titles in just two-and-a-half years in management.
Guardiola won two Champions League crowns with Barcelona - but has failed to get beyond the semifinal since leaving the Nou Camp.
City were installed as favourites to win this year’s competition during the knockout stages, but were stunned by Liverpool - losing 5-1 on aggregate in the quarter-finals. Guardiola admits his side need to learn to handle Europe in the manner of Real. “In Europe you can have a bad time and in those situations Madrid controls them better,” he told Mundo Deportivo. “When you win three Champions Leagues in a row four in five years - you are a spectacular team. “The demonstration of what Madrid is came after Liverpool equalised - when they could turn the score. “That’s when they were better. “In knockout competition they control everything very well. It only remains to take your hat off to them - and for those of us who are in the competition to try to not to let them win a fourth straight title.” And despite Real’s success, Guardiola insists there is no doubt about the true kings of Spain. “If you won seven Leagues in 10 years that means Barca is the best team in Spain,” he added. Pep Guardiola