'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Real Madrid's shock Champions League exit has many wondering what's next for the Spanish giants. Many fingers have been pointed at coach Santiago Solari and president Florentino Perez after the disastrous week. The fans have been understandably distraught after the recent shambolic performances they have witnessed.
MARCA, after Madrid's elimination from the UEFA Champions League, started a survey in which fans were asked who'd they like to see in white next season, along with who should be taking over from Santiago Solari. The fans were also asked, who is to blame for their abysmal season. The poll was taken by more than 400,000 fans.
The supporters of the Madrid side were clear about what they want for next season, and that the club will need a squad overhaul to recover. The fans asked for a few new faces and, according to the survey, the most desired one is, Kylian Mbappé. The French international amassed around 70% of the votes, followed by Eden Hazard, Neymar Jr, Harry Kane and Mo Salah.
Kylian Mbappe is a generational talent and Florentino Perez will have to dig into his deep pockets, if he wants to get his man from Paris Saint-Germain. Whereas luring Hazard away may be tough, as Chelsea have to serve a transfer ban, it is believed Madrid will be in pursuit of both PSG forwards as their club was yet again eliminated in the round of 16.
The poll also made it clear that the fans wish former coach Zinedine Zidane, Jurgen Klopp and Jose Mourinho, in that order to replace Solari. Zidane and Klopp, both with 32% of the votes, are the most desired to revive the club. While Mourinho received 18% of the votes, followed by Mauricio Pochettino and Massimiliano Allegri.
Zidane is a proven bet as he led this side to glory, winning the Champions League three times in a row. Whereas Klopp's philosophy and methods have seen Liverpool challenging for the Premier League title and thus is a popular candidate among the fans.
The fans are also clear on who the culprit for the debacle is as they blame the board and the president, Florentino Pérez. 56% of the fans believe he is responsible for the team's downfall this season as he failed to replace Cristiano Ronaldo and Zidane.
Perez, after a feud and clash of egos with Ronaldo, let him leave the Bernabeu. Since then Perez has failed has failed to fill the void left in by the Portuguese international whereas he even fails to acknowledge the need of reinforcements .
On the other hand, the players received 9% of the votes for the blame and 5% seem to believe Solari and former coach Julen Lopetegui are solely responsible. To the fans, many players this season have under performed. Elite players who have been seen to have failed to justify their showings which include Gareth Bale, Luka Modric, Casemiro and more.
Perez is facing the wrath of the Madrid fans and will have to take some drastic steps before the next season starts.
Real Madrid will have to shell out hundreds of millions in the upcoming transfer window to acquire the services of long term targets and make their squad competitive again to challenge their rivals for titles next campaign.
There will be a major shift at the Bernabeu in the summer, where we may see unexpected departures and world class players arrive.
