Real Madrid are on the hunt for a new manager after Zinedine Zidane sensationally quit for the second time in three years on Thursday.
The news of his abrupt departure has immediately put Antonio Conte firmly in the driving seat to take over - after he announced his own shock departure from Inter Milan just days after lifting the Serie A title.
Also in contention is former Real Madrid forward Raul Gonzalez, who currently manages Real Madrid's Castilla reserve team.
Incredibly, the 2020-21 season was the first time in 11 years in which Real Madrid failed to win a trophy, with the new head coach tasked with avoiding a repeat.
Zidane leaves the Los Blancos after a disappointing season in which Real conceded their La Liga crown to fierce rivals Atletico Madrid.
Following a highly successful playing career in the Spanish capital, the Frenchmen led Real to 12 major trophies as manager, which included three back-to-back Champions League triumphs in his first spell in charge.
Zinedine Zidane has decided to quit as Real Madrid head coach for the second time.
- Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) May 27, 2021
Interestingly, Zidane could replace Mauricio Pochettino at Paris Saint-Germain if, of course, the Argentine decides to return to Tottenham Hotspur.
Confirmation of Zidane's departure has since seen Max Allegri linked with the coveted role, but reports have stated that he is keen to return to Italy in order to take over at Juventus.
It leaves Conte the red hot favourite to take the job, but there are a number of other frontrunners, too.
Antonio Conte (4/7)
Antonio Conte is the overwhelming favourite to take over at Real Madrid - and it comes as no surprise, too, given his recent departure from Inter.
While the former Chelsea boss has only spent two seasons managing outside of his native Italy, he has won eight honours in the last decade.
Raúl González (7/2)
Raul, one of Real's best-ever strikers, has been learning the ropes as a manager of Real Madrid Castilla - but this job opportunity might have come to soon for him, though.
And with that said, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez will not want to repeat the mistakes of 2018 when Santiago Solari was given that exact same promotion.
Massimiliano Allegri (9/2)
Massimiliano Allegri is another frontrunner for the job, with the Italian still out of work following his departure from Juventus two years ago.
And despite Conte being the red hot favourite to take over at Real, Marca say Allegri is primed to take over at the Bernabeu, with the Italian "never closer" to taking charge than he is at this current moment in time.
Gian Piero Gasperini (8/1)
Gian Piero Gasperini is a new name that has emerged as a potential candidate for the vacant Real job.
According to The Transfer Window podcast, Spurs had the Atlanta boss on their radar to replace Jose Mourinho, who joined their Serie A rivals Roma.
Could he also be on Real's radar? The bookies seem to think so, but only time will tell.
Next Real Madrid manager odds
- Antonio Conte - 4/7
- Raúl González - 7/2
- Massimiliano Allegri - 9/2
- Gian Piero Gasperini - 8/1
- Guti - 10/1
- Joachim Low - 22/1
- Thomas Tuchel - 22/1
40/1 bar. Odds are correct at the time of publication and are, as always, subject to change.
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Topics: Zinedine Zidane, Real Madrid, Antonio Conte
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