5 Possible Replacements For Zinedine Zidane

Real Madrid's season has been, in a word, catastrophic. Coming into it as the winners of La Liga and the Champions League, expectations were high that Zidane could lead his side to similar success in 2017/2018.

Yesterday's frustrating 2-2 draw against Levante, however, further compounded a dismal campaign. Madrid now lie a massive 18 points behind their arch-rivals Barcelona. Star players such as Cristiano Ronaldo haven't been playing anywhere their near best, which hasn't helped, but it feels like Zidane has to take responsibility for their failures.

Too often, he hasn't seemed to have a plan B when things haven't been working out on the pitch. Madrid and President Florentino Perez aren't known for their patience with managers so it's more than likely that Zidane will be out of a job unless something miraculous happens. Here, we will look at 5 of the best managers who could replace the Frenchman.

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#5 Thomas Tuchel

The German coach has been mentioned in conjunction with many top jobs around Europe since he left Borussia Dortmund after last season. His name is often discussed as a potential replacement should Chelsea fire Antonio Conte. However, the Real Madrid job could prove more tempting if it became available.

He took the team to 2nd and 3rd placed finishes in his 2 seasons and won the DFB-Pokal but his dismissal seems to have been more a result of his fractured relationship with Dortmund's hierarchy.

Tuchel is respected as a strong tactician and had Dortmund playing some delightful football during his tenure. Madrid have not had a proper tactician in charge since Jose Mourinho left in 2013: both Zidane and Carlo Ancelotti before him prefer to let their players express themselves more freely and hope success will follow.

Perhaps this struggling Madrid team could use a coach with strong ideas as too often this season, players have looked lost when things haven't immediately gone their way.

Tuchel also became known for his relationships with Dortmund's big players who had been at the club a long time as he was not afraid to drop them completely from squads in favor of his own players and this treatment may be effective for this current Madrid side; players like Sergio Ramos and Ronaldo have too much power and control and seem completely safe in the starting lineup.

Ronaldo, especially, has performed terribly this season so far, and Tuchel wouldn't be afraid to let him know this.

#4 Luis Enrique

Enrique is a popular figure at both Real Madrid and Barcelona

This would be a slightly controversial move as Enrique had managed Barcelona to great success over the past 3 seasons. Numerous players have played for both Real Madrid and Barcelona but only 2 managers have ever managed both sides (Radomir Antic and Enrique Fernandez Viola).

The fact that Enrique famously played for both teams in the 1990's, enjoying a distinguished career at both, and this would work in his favour should Madrid come calling for his services now.

What should matter is not the past of the person but who is the right manager for the team and Enrique proved himself to be one of Europe's best managers in recent years. He guided Barcelona to the league title in 2015 and 2016, in addition to winning the Champions League title in 2015.

He had quarrels with players like Lionel Messi at the Camp Nou, showing he's not a manager afraid to take on star players when he feels it's needed, something which would be useful at Madrid.

He also put his team out in a number of different formations and styles during his tenure and this inconsistent Madrid side could use some flexibility in their approach. Enrique stated that he was taking a break after the pressures of the Barcelona job. If Zidane were to lose his job, however, one of the biggest managerial roles in football could prove just too enticing.

#3 Mauricio Pochettino

The Argentine has gained many admirers for his coaching in England

Tottenham's coach spoke about managing Real Madrid in an interview as recently as last month.

Pochettino was an Espanyol legend during his playing days, and has stated that he will never consider managing their great city rivals Barcelona; the Madrid job doesn't have such controversy to an Espanyol man, and the Argentine said the job would interest him in the future. Pochettino has established himself as one of Europe's best young managers.

He transformed Tottenham from perennial nearly-men into true title contenders. They play perhaps the most pleasing football in the EPL. Fronted by Harry Kane, the trio of Cristian Eriksen, Dele Alli, and Heung Min-Son constantly interchange positions in a fluid attacking formation, finding pockets of space through their intricate play.

He's taken the team further up the table in each season so far: A decent 5th-place finish in 2015, 3rd in 2016, and 2nd last season, only 7 points behind champions Chelsea. There is much goodwill surrounding the club and the fans adore their manager.

Considering their struggles this season, when Zidane has often seemed too placid on the bench, the charisma and confidence of Pochettino could be what's needed around the Santiago Bernabeu.

He also became renowned for promoting youth at Tottenham, including making Harry Kane his starting forward instead of Spain international Roberto Soldado.

Madrid has several talented youngsters in their squad, including Borja Mayoral and Theo Hernandez, and Pochettino would be only too happy to trust in their ability over under-performing stars like Ronaldo and Karim Benzema.

#2 Marcelino

Marcelino has got Valencia back to where they belong

The Spaniard has definitely put in his time: a manager since 1997, he's worked his way up Spanish football and is now getting the recognition his talents deserve.

In 3 seasons with Villarreal from 2013 to 2016, he guided the small club to 3 top-6 finishes; he also coached them to an incredible Europa League run, where they finished as semi-finalists in 2015/2016. Valencia came calling this summer and he's transformed the Spanish giants, taking them to 3rd place, 1 place ahead of Real Madrid.

The league title is almost certainly Barcelona's now but catching Atletico Madrid is definitely achievable for Marcelino if his lads keep their form up. Considering his overall trajectory, making it to Real Madrid would be the pinnacle of his journey.

His experience of La Liga could prove important in putting a stop to Madrid's woeful inconsistency. Too often, they've struggled away from home against smaller teams through inflexibility and arrogance; Marcelino would not allow this to happen.

Zidane was a gamble when the club hired him and it worked out for a while but a more knowledgeable and tough appointment in Marcelino could provide a positive change for Madrid.

#1 Julian Nagelsmann

Nagelsmann was the youngest manager in Bundesliga history

It's remarkable the amount of success Nagelsmann has had since becoming a coach, considering he only turned 30 last July.

He took over 1899 Hoffenheim in 2016 when they were mired in a relegation battle and guided them to safety; in his first full season, Nagelsmann was responsible for Hoffenheim making it to the Champions League for the first time in their history.

They were put out by Liverpool 6-3 on aggregate, but Nagelsmann gained further admirers for the fluidity of his team's play, with positions not solid and players free to move across the pitch.

They are currently 9th in Bundesliga, a decline since last season's incredible success but it's still a solid showing for Hoffenheim. Nicknamed 'mini-Mourinho', the German has made it clear that he wants to reach the very top of football and that invariably means Real Madrid or Barcelona.

His appointment would represent a risk considering his inexperience but the exact same was said of Zidane at the beginning. Madrid have not had a Pep Guardiola-figure in this century, a coach with exciting ideas who built a dynasty at the club, and Nagelsmann could finally provide this.

His youthful exuberance, passion, and tactical style could be the breath of fresh air that Madrid are in need of.