Next Real Madrid Manager Odds: Potential future replacements for Carlo Ancelotti

It seems odd to be writing a piece on the future of a hugely successful employed manager who could well end the season clutching a La Liga and Champions League trophy double, but this is no run-of-the-mill club we are talking about here.

Bar a shock collapse, Carlo Ancelotti will soon lead Real Madrid to the La Liga title, and thus become the first ever manager to win all five of Europe’s major leagues, which would be an incredible achievement.

After their stunning comeback against PSG in the last-16, Los Blancos also remain in contention to win their beloved Champions League. They face a tough task next against defending champions Chelsea but if they do go all the way in Europe then Ancelotti will become the first manager in history to win the competition four times.

So, what's the problem then? 

It's not all been smooth sailing for the Italian since he returned for a second spell last summer. He has come under pressure at various points this season, while the shocking manner of the humiliating 4-0 loss at home to rivals Barcelona before the international break certainly raised eyebrows. The league title may be imminent, but Barcelona's resurrection will be a big concern ahead of next season. As a result, Ancelotti's long-term future at the Bernabeu is by no means certain.

Ancelotti still has two years to run on his contract yet his employers are no strangers to axing managers on the back of a league triumph, just ask poor Fabio Capello (twice) and Vicente del Bosque. 

With Real Madrid chasing a monster move for Kylian Mbappe, the club could look to embark upon a new chapter in the dugout this summer too. With rumours circulating, Paddy Power have just opened up the next Real Madrid manager market, which we’ve taken a closer look at below…

Raul: 6/4

Could we see Raul vs Xavi in El Clasico next season?

Manager of Real Madrid’s Castilla side since 2019, Raul surely has one eye on the top job, especially after watching the way his old Spanish teammate Xavi has rejuvenated Barcelona since his November appointment. 

The Real Madrid legend is the 6/4 favourite to make the step up should Ancelotti depart in the future.

“This is my home and I work and prepare myself to be able to help the club in any way that I can,” he said earlier this week.

“In this moment, the manager of the first team is Carlo Ancelotti, who has done well with a lead in La Liga and in the quarter-finals of the Champions League. We are here to help and push them.

"Besides, I have a very good relationship with Ancelotti on a daily basis, helping him so that everything goes well, because the important thing here is the club — that is my goal.”

In the past, the likes of Zinedine Zidane, Vicente del Bosque, Santiago Solari, Rafa Benítez, and most recently Julen Lopetegui have all managed Real Madrid’s famous reserve team before going on to manage the senior side at some point in their careers.

Raul's old teammate Zidane effortlessly made the transition from reserve team manager to top dawg in 2016: he won three straight Champions Leagues, La Liga, two FIFA Club World Cups, two UEFA Super Cup, and Supercopa de España, before returning for a second spell to collect a league and cup double.

An energetic and passionate presence on the Castilla touchline, Raul undoubtedly has the personality and profile to command the respect of the first team, as Zidane did, and could soon to entrusted to instigate an exciting new era. His work with the youngsters also means that a new wave of talent could also be integrated, including Sergio Arribas.

Mauricio Pochettino: 5/1

If Real Madrid opted for an external appointment than the long-linked Mauricio Pochettino will surely be a prominent presence on their shortlist.

Pochettino faces an uncertain future at current club PSG and is currently in a two-horse race for the Man Utd job: a post he was previously the frontrunner for but has drifted to 11/1 behind odds-on favourite Ten Hag.

His contract at PSG runs to 2023, in truth it appears increasingly probable that club and manager will part ways this summer. Despite a move in the market, Old Trafford still appears his most likely destination, but there have been reports that a return to Spain could be on the cards if it did suffice that Real Madrid wanted to change managers.

Pochettino, who was left stunned by Ancelotti’s side in the Champions League, would no doubt be a glamour appointment for President Florentino Perez. His relationship with another one of Real’s summer targets, Mbappe, could also be a key factor in a potential move.

“He’s a great manager, a great man, an honest guy," Mbappe said recently. 

"I’m really happy to work with him. I have a really great relationship with him. I talk every day, all the time, with him, and we are really close.”

Thomas Tuchel: 7/1

It’s no surprise to see Thomas Tuchel located in the top echelon of the market at 7/1.

Tuchel has done a superb shop at Chelsea, where he’s reached five finals and won three trophies in just over a year in charge, and was recently named The Best FIFA Football Coach.

The Blues are gunning to successfully defend their Champions League crown, are in the mix to win the FA Cup, and have a very outside chance to win the Premier League.

Tuchel is the sort of big name, high-profile appointment Perez would undoubtedly crave and if there remains even a hint of uncertainty in regards to the German’s future at Chelsea, Real Madrid must test the waters.

Antonio Conte: 10/1

After an inconsistent patch during which an emotional Antonio Conte said he could leave Tottenham, the Italian has since steadied the ship and got the club’s pursuit of a top-four sailing in the right direction.

Conte has snubbed Real Madrid multiple times in the past - due to timing - but should they come knocking again in the summer he could well be tempted, especially if Spurs miss out on the Champions League and he’s not given any assurances over summer expenditure in the transfer market.

If Harry Kane leaves, then Conte could swiftly follow.

Zinedine Zidane: 12/1

Given his affiliation to and success with Real Marid you simply can’t completely rule out another return for Zinedine Zidane.

The Frenchman has not managed since leaving the club for a second time at the end of last season, but is currently the odds-on favourite to replace Pochettino at PSG.

Although, it’s the France national team job he’s widely believed to be holding out for, with Didier Deschamps’ contract expiring at the end of the year.

Who else?

Jose Mourinho features at 20/1, but we can’t see this one happening. Nor is a return likely for another former Real Madrid manager, Julen Lopetegui (20/1), despite the admirable way he’s rebuilt his career at Sevilla.

We can rule out a move for Didier Deschamps (20/1) this summer given that the World Cup is in November, however depending on the narrative in 2023 the Frenchman could well come into contention as his contract expires with the France national team after the World Cup.

Bayern Munich’s Julian Nagelsmann will always be on the radar, but it would be a surprise if he left Bayern Munich after one season. The German is a 25/1 shot alongside Real icon Guti and Ajax’s Erik ten Hag.

River Plate’s Marcelo Gallardo, who has just signed a new contract, is available at 33/1 alongside Max Allegri, Joachim Low, and Unai Emery, while the likes of Jurgen Klopp and Marcelo Bielsa are out at 50/1.

Full odds below…