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A change in the dugout at Real Madrid is unlikely before the end of the current season, with Alvaro Arbeloa expected to remain in charge temporarily before stepping aside this summer.
Madrid were knocked out of the Champions League by Bayern Munich on Wednesday and currently sit second in La Liga, nine points behind leaders Barcelona, leaving them on course for a potentially disappointing finish to the campaign.
According to RMC Sport, Mauricio Pochettino – who will leave his role as USA head coach after the 2026 World Cup – is highly regarded internally by Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez. The report adds that Madrid have gathered information on his ability to handle pressure.
Jurgen Klopp, now head of global soccer at Red Bull after leaving Liverpool in 2024, is also under consideration, although he has denied any contact with Madrid.
Klopp told reporters at the Magenta TV World Cup team presentation in Munich: “If Real Madrid had phoned, we would have heard about it by now. “But that’s all nonsense. They haven’t called even once, not once.
“My agent is there, you can ask him. They haven’t called him either. “Right now I’m not thinking about that, luckily there’s no reason to.
“For my age I’m quite advanced in life, but as a coach I’m not completely finished. I haven’t reached retirement age. “Who knows what will happen in the coming years? But there’s nothing planned.”
Didier Deschamps is another name on the shortlist, with the France boss set to step down after the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Klopp and Deschamps are currently viewed as outside options, with Pochettino emerging as the leading candidate for the role.
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has also been linked with the Madrid job. Mauricio Pochettino has previous La Liga experience, having managed Espanyol between 2009 and 2012, recording 53 wins, 38 draws and 70 defeats in 161 games.
He later managed Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur before joining Paris Saint-Germain, where he won three trophies, including the 2021-22 Ligue 1 title.
After leaving Chelsea in 2024 following a short spell, he took charge of the USA national team in September 2024, winning 13 of his 24 matches in charge so far.
The 54-year-old is reportedly keen to return to club management this summer and could now be in line for one of the biggest jobs in world football.
Arbeloa took over in January. Though well regarded at the club, he has been unable to reverse their fortunes following Xabi Alonso’s mid-season dismissal.
In his early weeks in charge, Madrid suffered an embarrassing Copa del Rey exit to Albacete, while Barcelona have since extended their lead at the top of La Liga to nine points with seven games remaining.