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The original was posted on /r/soccer by /u/Sparky-moon on 2026-04-16 14:43:13+00:00.
Original Title: [El Mundo] Madrid’s criteria for their new manager: A heavyweight manager, world-renowned and with international success, capable of managing the egos of a dressing room that has been fractured for far too long. It will not be a young profile like that of Xabi Alonso.
Klopp (director of football at Red Bull), Pochettino (U.S. national team coach), Deschamps (France), Scaloni (Argentina), and even Mourinho (Benfica) are names that have come up repeatedly at Valdebebas in recent weeks, but without any definitive conviction that they would be the ideal choice. Several of them will be key figures at the upcoming World Cup, where Madrid will be keeping a close eye on both the bench and the field. Zidane, who is eyeing the French national team after the World Cup, was the favorite of Madrid’s general management, but his “no” seems definitive.
Names like Nagelsmann, the German national team coach, or Cesc Fábregas, the breakout star of Serie A with Como, seem to be out of the running at Valdebebas.
Madrid’s management remains convinced that the squad has more potential than Ancelotti, Alonso, or Arbeloa have been able to draw out of it over the past two years. They insist that injuries have taken a toll on the team and that it is up to the coach in charge to get the players to gel. There are pieces that need tweaking, sources acknowledge, but the backbone, they repeat at Chamartín, “is world-class.” That core revolves around Courtois, Militao, Tchouaméni, Valverde, Güler, Bellingham, Vinicius, and Mbappé. The club is not considering, at least at this moment, letting any of its three biggest stars leave.
From there on, the team could see a mass exodus. Alaba, Carvajal, and Rüdiger are all set to see their contracts expire, though the German is very close to renewing. Players like Ceballos, Fran García, and Asencio are free to seek new opportunities, while Gonzalo is likely to go out on loan. Endrick will return, as will likely Nico Paz, which could open the door for Mastantuono to go out on loan.
Camavinga also to be sold.
The presence of financier Anas Laghrari in the Bernabéu box and on European trips has fueled rumors about his role in these changes, and some sources close to the team claim he is among those advocating for this restructuring; however, internal club sources deny that he has become involved in the club’s sporting affairs.
The situation of some key figures in recent years, such as Juni Calafat (head of scouting), is complicated. The signings of Huijsen, Carreras, and Mastantuono have not raised the team’s ceiling, and the club is reviewing his position and potential signings in that department. Santiago Solari, currently Director of Football though with little influence, could also be on his way out.