"It's obvious - I am responsible for the team's results and the game," Zinedine Zidane said after sensationally stepping down from the King's Cup about the shaky coach seat at Real Madrid club. Real Madrid had to face yet another defeat this season. In the return leg of the King's Cup quarterfinals, the team lost to Leganes and withdrew from further competition for the tournament title. The entire 2017-18 season has been tragic for Zidane's team - the King's Cup battle is over, they are in only fourth place in the Spanish league, trailing the leaders by 19 points, and they face a match in the UEFA Champions League against the remarkable Paris Saint-Germain. Zidane has faced a lot of criticism for such poor performance, despite leading Real to one of the most successful seasons in the club's history just last year. However, Real is a club that aims for the highest goals, focusing on results, and therefore the French coach's future in the Spanish capital seems uncertain. According to reports, Zidane has already decided to leave Real after the season, regardless of the results, but his career here could end even sooner. The Frenchman admitted that the Champions League quarterfinals would be decisive for him, so the Real management inevitably needs to start looking for possible candidates to replace him. The portal "EuroFootball.com" has compiled a list of coaches who are most likely to catch Real's eye and be considered the main candidates to overcome the current crisis. Mauricio Pochettino The most realistic candidate to start a new era at Real Madrid club. The successful coach of Tottenham from Argentina has expressed his desire to challenge himself in such a big club. Pochettino has been on Real's radar for quite some time, but the club has shown no intention of replacing the coach in the past two seasons, as Zinedine Zidane brought great success to the team. Pochettino may not have the same authority as Zidane, but undoubtedly has more strategic ideas and currently, this is Real's biggest flaw. Pochettino is valued for his tactical abilities and his success in working with young players, which Real currently lacks. Pochettino should be the main name if Zidane leaves the team. Joachim Low A highly experienced 57-year-old coach who has not tested himself at the highest club level. Low has been linked to Real for many years, but the German remains loyal to the German national team, which he has led since 2006. This strategist undoubtedly has authority - World Cup titles and many years of top-level football with the national team. The only problem could be that Low lacks experience in assembling a team, rather than selecting players from the existing ones, in contrast to what he has been doing with the German national team for more than 12 years. The strategist has no club-level experience, but Low's qualifications should not be doubted. Thomas Tuchel One of the most promising strategists in the world, who was not properly appreciated at Borussia Dortmund. The owners of the club have previously mentioned Real's interest in Tuchel's services, so this strategist undoubtedly remains on the candidate list. Tuchel is known for his excellent football knowledge and modern football promotion - high pressing, adaptation to opponents, and changing the game plan during matches. One of Tuchel's strengths could be that the long-standing Real players may not accept the young strategist's changes, so there are doubts about the possible atmosphere in the dressing room. It is important for this strategist to have full freedom in assembling the team and playing his football, but after such a poor season, Florentino Perez will undoubtedly take action. Maurizio Sarri One of the greatest poets in modern football - this is how we could describe the 59-year-old Napoli coach. Sarri has received great praise, even from Pep Guardiola, for the football promoted by Napoli. Sarri is currently fighting hard for the coveted Serie A title with Napoli. Sarri is also known for his high football intellect, and his team's game leaves a good impression. The only problem with Sarri at a club like Real could also be the lack of authority and the large number of stars in the team, which Napoli does not have. It is not clear if Real is monitoring this coach, but attention could be drawn if he and Napoli manage to break Juventus' dominance in the Italian league. Carlo Ancelotti Not the most likely candidacy, but Carlo Ancelotti is still strongly loved by both the players and the fans. The strategist, who helped Real win the tenth UEFA Champions League trophy in 2014, is currently unemployed, but the Italian undoubtedly is not a big fan of Florentino Perez after being dismissed from coaching duties in the second season. However, Ancelotti has enough experience to lead teams of such level. The Italian also has authority in the football world. The situation was different in Bayern Munich, but Ancelotti still maintains warm relationships with Real players. The problem is whether the strategist himself and Real want to return to old works. Guti Many know this name from the time when Guti amazed the football world with his incredible passing technique, but few know him as a coach. That's completely normal: Guti is currently working with Real's youth, leading the most successful academy team in Real's history. Guti has admitted that he does not aim to work at the club level, but he has talent, and he has already been noticed. However, it is unlikely that he would take the wheel at Real. If Zidane continues to lead the team at least until the end of the season, Guti may not take over. However, if the strategist steps down after the match against PSG, it is possible that Guti could be seen as an interim coach, and later - depending on the results.
