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Real Madrid are reigning Champions of Europe, and have been for the past three years - an unprecedented feat in the history of the competition. They made it 4 titles in the last 5 years in the most elite competition in Europe.
However, ever since the conclusion of the season, Real Madrid, as a club, have looked far from their immovable self.
With a number of players reaching the twilight-zone of their careers, others choosing to move on, and with the turnover of new personnel, we could summarize that Real Madrid are in the midst of some major changes and reform.
Here we take look at why Los Blancos may struggle to hit the lofty heights, that they had under three-years of Zidane's management, this coming season:
#3 Julen Lopetegui's perceived inexperience on the big stage
The end of the season and the buildup to the start of the World Cup in Russia was one of the most mindboggling we've had in recent times. After leading Real Madrid to their third consecutive UCL title, Zinedine Zidane sent shockwaves through the world of football, announcing that he will be stepping down from the top job at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Also read: 3 Possible Destinations for Zinedine Zidane
That lead to a lot of speculation regarding Zidane's successor with a number of prominent names being floated in media houses as possible replacements.
But with just hours to go before Spain played their opener against Portugal, news broke of their head coach having agreed to take over as manager at the Santiago Bernabeu after the World Cup came to a close.
In an even more shocking reaction, the Spanish FA wasted little time in relieving Lopetegui of the charge of managing the national side and Spain were left without a manager before any ball being kicked in Russia.
Lopetegui was distraught at the turn of events as he changed managerial roles - a day after being disgraced as national coach he went on to hold a press conference as Real Madrid manager.
What might be a concern for the Madrid fans is the perceived lack of experience of their head coach at the highest levels of the game. The job as Spain manager was, in all honesty, the first big break of his managerial career. He did manage Rayo Vallecano back in 2003 but that lasted for only about four months, following which he had a string of roles as Spain's U19-21 coach.
The following stint as Porto manager helped him to land the Spain top job - in which he was proving fairly successful - but when you manage a club like Real Madrid the challenge you will be faced with will be unlike any, in any other managerial job, and having the experience to know how to deal with that is vital to survival.
Lopetegui has also failed to win any silverware in his career so far and for a club that deems any campaign without trophies as a major setback, it was surprising to see them hand over the reigns to someone who had never experienced winning trophies in his life.
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#2 Big club, Bigger egos
Real Madrid is a galaxy of superstars, where the greatest talents in the world come to play. One of the biggest obstacles for anyone who has come in to manage the most decorated club in the world has to be to deal with the biggest egos in world football.
Since Real Madrid are a club built on winning titles, it comes as no surprise that they seek out some of the best talents in the world of football. With great talent, comes greater self-confidence, which can be difficult to manage considering football is a sport that counts on 11 bodies working in unison.
When players command the highest wages in the world, ludicrous sums of money and live the grand life, often it tends to get to their heads. The competitive nature of such athletes certainly doesn't help the cause of team spirit.
In such situations, you need a man who is undeniably worthy enough to dictate to these players. And few in the world football command the respect the Frenchman did.
Zinedine Zidane needed no introduction for the squad to sit up and take notice, neither did the footballing world. The space he's carved out for himself in the game is matched only by a few, if any.
Therefore, when he walked into the dressing room filled with Galacticos, Zidane was heard and his instructions were carried out on the field (something others like Rafael Benitez failed miserably at doing in the Spanish capital). We wonder if Lopetegui will be able to do the same.
With payers like Isco, Matteo Kovacic and Gareth Bale demanding that the new manager give assurances that they will get much more playing-time unless Real wishes to lose them, are signs that all is certainly not well in Madrid.
#1 No Cristiano
Real Madrid might be able to overcome the shortcomings that have already been listed in this article, like they have over so many years - finding a way to succeed. But will they ever be able to replace the man who went on to become the greatest player in their glorious history? We think not.
Apart from the undeniable talents on the ball, the leadership, and the drive, what Los Blancos will have the most difficult time replacing is the sheer number of goals that the Portuguese has scored in the white for Real Madrid.
A scarcely believable 450+ goals since he moved from Manchester United, 9 years ago. That comes up to about a ridiculous 40% of all goals that Madrid have scored since his arrival. Can you believe that? For a team that scores truckloads of goals, Cristiano Ronaldo has reigned supreme.
Also read: Doesn't matter what the question is, Cristiano Ronaldo is the answer
It is hard to contemplate how that was the case, but it's harder to try and find someone to replicate that. With Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale often coming under fire for their inability to find the back of the net as often as the Portuguese does, and the lack of any viable alternatives in the market, Real Madrid will their task cut out for them if they want to maintain the dominance they have over the world of football.
