Mourinho or Pochettino To Relieve Zidane?

Photo credit to Third OP via Flickr

La Liga

Mourinho or Pochettino To Relieve Zidane?

Several Spanish media outlets are linking Jose Mourinho back to Real Madrid. If things couldn’t be worst for Zinedine Zidane, Mauricio Pochettino also looms.

Pressure is mounting on the French strategist following a shocking loss at Real Mallorca. A result that gave Barcelona the first place ahead of Real Madrid.

According to El Chiringuito, Real Madrid have been in contact with former boss Jose Mourinho.

Zidane is in his second spell at the club after winning three straight Champions League in his first opportunity as manager. However, he left the club unexpectedly as changes were required and he did not want to make them.

Despite this, he returned and took over after a short spell of Santiago Solari in March of this year.

However, his return did not iron the kinks that were left from the debacle that was the hiring of Julen Lopetegui and then following of Solari.

Nevertheless, he had the summer to reshape his team for this 2019-20 season.

With a must win situation in Turkey, the shadow of Mourinho lurks around and Zidane is not happy.

In an interview previous their match in Turkey against Galatasaray, Zidane is said to be concern for his position.

“In football, people forget what you’ve done in the past. The important thing is the present…I’m not going to say it doesn’t bother me what is being said about other coaches, because it does.

“But what I have to do as a coach is to give everything, get the players to do the same, to give everything – and that’s all I can do. It’s a great game to play in, a great stadium, Champions League…we know what the situation is and we’re going to try and win.”

Jose Mourinho

The Portuguese was in charge of the club between 2010 and 2013. During his time, he won one La Liga title and one Copa del Rey, while also defeating the best football team in history, Barcelona.

Since leaving Madrid, Mourinho racked trophies with Chelsea and Manchester United. However, he was unable to bring back a UEFA Champions League title to either side.

Mauricio Pochettino

Unfortunately for Zidane, Pochettino is also being mentioned among those who could replace him. However, the Argentinian has been under much scrutiny this season after reaching the UEFA Champions League final this past summer. Nevertheless, he’s been a favorite at Madrid and president Florentino Perez.

Additionally, had he not signed, he would’ve been the favorite to replace Zidane last season instead of Lopetegui. However, he’s still currently under contract with Tottenham. A sacking from Tottenham would be the only option to have him join. Otherwise, this is almost out of the picture.

Mourinho, being without a job, is a heavy favorite regardless if Perez is really willing to sack Zidane mid-season.

Written by Edgar Gomez

Follow Edgar and TSJ: Soccer on Twitter!

Photo credit to Third OP via Flickr

Follow TSJ on YouTube and Twitter