Real Madrid News
Real Madrid appreciate former PSG manager, see him as a potential Ancelotti replacement
According to Fabrizio Romano, former Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino is appreciated by Real Madrid, who have him as a potential candidate to replace Carlo Ancelotti in the summer.
Along with Pochettino, Real Madrid also admire club legend and current Castilla manager Raul Gonzalez, who is also seen as a possible replacement for Ancelotti.
The Italian tactician’s future has become a topic of hot debate, with reports suggesting that Real Madrid could get rid of him if he fails to win a major trophy this season.
At the same time, Ancelotti has also been heavily linked with the Brazil national team job, which only has added to the uncertainty surrounding his continuity at Real Madrid.
Amidst this, Real Madrid are keeping an eye out on potential replacements, even though for now they are backing Ancelotti in hope that he can lead them to another UEFA Champions League title.
Thomas Tuchel was one of the names on the table, but he signed for Bayern Munich. Now, Pochettino and Raul Gonzalez are seen as possible options, with both managers reportedly appreciated internally at Real Madrid.
Pochettino did a fine job at Tottenham Hotspur but his stint at PSG left a lot to be desired. After being relieved of his duties in France, the Argentine has not taken up any job and would be available to replace Ancelotti.
Meanwhile, Raul is working within Real Madrid itself, as the manager of their Castilla outfit and has done a fine job in his role, convincing officials that he might be ready for first-team management.
Apart from the two, Julian Nagelsmann, who was sacked by Bayern Munich earlier this week, also remains an option on the table.
Ancelotti still has a year left on his contract at Real Madrid and much will depend on how the team finish the ongoing campaign.
Real Madrid are looking towards a heavy splurge in the coming summer transfer window. After all, they do not even have another option given the sheer number of player departures already finalized.
Los Blancos have lost the services of Karim Benzema, Marco Asensio, Mariano Diaz, and Eden Hazard over the past week. While three of the four players predominantly featured on the bench, their presence in the squad gave Carlo Ancelotti’s side much-needed depth and a cushion of sorts.
The forward unit is, thus, the most prioritized department ahead of the transfer window. However, pieces are beginning to fall apart on other fronts and could potentially put the club in a difficult situation.
According to reports from Gianluca Di Marzio, Juventus are eyeing Lucas Vazquez and hope to sign him in the coming month. Contacts between the two parties have begun and the transfer fee discussed appears to be around the €6 million to €8 million ballpark given that he has just one year left on his contract.
The player, for his part, is willing to sign for the Italian giants given his relative lack of minutes at the Santiago Bernabeu. At 31 years of age, he understandably does not want to play a second-fiddle role.
Vasquez played part in 23 of Real Madrid’s 38 La Liga games last season, starting only on 12 occasions. Even in his few appearances, he averaged a mere 50 minutes per game.
The veteran completed the season with four goals and an assist to his name. Further, he averaged five defensive actions and a key pass in every game and feels hard done by his limited role.
Vazquez’s departure would place the club in a tricky situation as it would leave Real Madrid with only Dani Carvajal as a natural right-back option. Nacho Fernandez could, in theory, serve as the backup but a new signing for the position cannot be ruled out.
