USMNT’s Mauricio Pochettino included in candidates for Real Madrid managerial position next season – sources
Real Madrid has included Mauricio Pochettino on their list of potential candidates to succeed Álvaro Arbeloa for the upcoming season, according to sources speaking to ESPN.
The LaLiga club has commenced its search in the coaching market in anticipation of a summer that is expected to bring significant structural changes, which may also impact several individuals responsible for transfer decisions.
Madrid confirmed Arbeloa’s appointment to replace Xabi Alonso on January 12, but the duration of his contract was not disclosed.
The former Madrid and Liverpool player was held in high regard at the Santiago Bernabéu for his contributions to the youth team, yet some sources indicate to ESPN that he was never truly viewed as a long-term option.
Los Blancos have struggled to improve their situation during Arbeloa’s initial months as head coach, and some sources suggest that he would require “a miracle” or a Champions League victory to have any possibility of remaining in his position next season.
One source has informed ESPN that Madrid might even propose another role for him within the club, potentially allowing him to return to his previous position as coach of Castilla (Madrid’s reserve team).
Sources indicate that Madrid is assessing various candidates to lead the new sporting initiative, with Pochettino being one of the coaches highly esteemed by president Florentino Pérez.
He has been strongly associated with a sentimental return to Spurs this summer, although his former team is experiencing a challenging season and is embroiled in a relegation struggle in the Premier League.
The current coach of the United States national team had previously been connected to the Madrid position after guiding Tottenham Hotspur to the Champions League final in 2019.
Pochettino, who has a solid understanding of LaLiga from his playing career, possesses experience managing high-profile players during his tenures at Tottenham, Paris Saint-Germain, and Chelsea. Notably, one of the aspects most appreciated by Madrid is his experience coaching Kylian Mbappé for two seasons in Paris.
– Vitinha: ‘Foolish’ to leave PSG despite Real Madrid rumour
– Real Madrid fined after fan filmed making Nazi salute
– USMNT gets injury scare as Sergiño Dest ‘out for a little while’
Pochettino secured three titles with Mbappé at PSG — Ligue 1, the French Cup, and the French Super Cup. However, he was unable to clinch the Champions League, suffering defeats in the semifinals to Manchester City in 2021 and in the round of 16 to Real Madrid in 2022.
Arbeloa’s role is not the only one at risk within the club as they prepare for what is anticipated to be a particularly active summer at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Real Madrid spent over £170 million ($227.9m) during the previous summer’s transfer window following a season without trophies, but some of the acquisitions have not met the expected performance standards.
In this context, multiple sources have informed ESPN that Madrid’s head of scouting, Juni Calafat, is another individual whose position is under scrutiny.
Juni was previously lauded for bringing in young talents such as Vinícius Junior, Rodrygo, Éder Militão, and Jude Bellingham. However, the effectiveness of last summer’s signings — Franco Mastantuono, Dean Huijsen, and Trent Alexander-Arnold — remains uncertain.
A source has conveyed to ESPN that Pérez and the Brazilian head scout maintain a strong relationship, but this may not be sufficient to guarantee his continued presence at Madrid if the team experiences a second consecutive season without titles.
Jürgen Klopp, Unai Emery, and Massimiliano Allegri have also been mentioned in connection with the club by various Spanish media outlets in recent weeks, while other sources assert that Zidane’s return remains Pérez’s top aspiration.
Nonetheless, some sources claim that the Frenchman has already reached an agreement to take over the French national team following the World Cup.
