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Real Madrid are having an unacceptable season so far. Having lost 4 matches and drawing 5 in the league already, the Spanish giants have repeatedly been left humiliated by the visiting teams at the Santiago Bernabeu.
They currently sit fourth in the table and trail rivals Barcelona by a massive 19 point gap. Added to their misery is their early exit from the Copa del Rey, which has left Champions League qualification as the team's only ray of hope.
Zidane's style of football is not being greeted by the Bernabeu faithful with cheers anymore, implying that even a third successive Champions League title would not be enough to salvage the Frenchman's job. As the Spanish Champions look set for managerial changes, we take a look at the possible replacements for Zinedine Zidane.
#1 Mauricio Pochettino
The Tottenham Hotspur boss could be the favourite for the job after impressing in England. The Argentine has even refused to rule out a move if a big side offers a role.
Pochettino is known for his excellent eye for talent and bringing the best out of his players. He has managed players like Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Toby Alderweireld and made them modern-day superstars.
It was his Spurs team which beat Real Madrid in the Champions' League at Wembley and gained a point at the Bernabeu last year, in what was an emphatic performance from the English side. The former Southampton manager could be a success in Spain considering Real Madrid's financial prowess as compared to Tottenham.
#2 Joachim Low
The German boss would surely be among the top names on the list to replace Zidane, should Madrid sack the Frenchman. The World Cup winning manager is tipped to be the best manager in the business, having won the game's biggest prizes.
Doubts have been raised about Low's ability, given he has managed a German national team which has always been filled with superstars. The German answered his critics in style as he went on to lift the Confederations Cup leading a "B" team with an average squad age of 25.
The only negative on his resume, however, would be his inexperience in modern club football. He is surely going to be the most debatable name in the Real Madrid boardroom.
#3 Carlo Ancelotti
The Italian has constantly been linked with the top job at the Bernabeu over the past few months.
The Spanish giants sacked Ancelotti only a year after he had won them the European La Decima. Ancelotti went on to manage Bayern Munich and was sacked in Germany after Bayern's disastrous start to the 2017-18 season.
The former AC Milan manager should also be on Chelsea's radar this summer and the Italian would be an ideal man for the Real job, as he is well-known to the club and their expectations.
It remains to be seen, however, if the 58-year-old is willing to return to the soil where he was left denigrated.
