Mauricio Pochettino is being heavily backed to take over at the European giants following their latest domestic defeat
After Real Madrid's season slumped to new lows thanks to Copa del Rey elimination at the hands of lowly Leganes last night (Jan 24), pressure has continued to mount on manager and club legend Zinedine Zidane after a torrid run of results.
Last night’s loss and the aforementioned poor form have had a seismic impact on the next manager markets, with Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino falling from 25/1 just weeks ago, into as short as 5/2 as of this morning.
And the sensational switch is proving popular with punters, with 46% of all bets on the market over the last week backing Poch to take over at Los Blancos.
Sitting 19 points off La Liga pace setters Barcelona, many believe the clock is ticking on Zidane’s time in the capital.
Defeat to PSG in the Champions League would all but seal the fate of Zizou - and if punters are correct - the man taking over the helm will be Pochettino.
The Madrid manager admitted after last night’s loss: “If we do not get past against the PSG, my continuity is in danger. I am responsible. It is very clear that I am responsible and I have to find solutions.”
Also in the running with the former Espanyol boss according to the bookies are Joachim Low (4/1), Antonio Conte (5/1), Carlo Ancelotti (12/1), Laurent Blanc (12/1) and Diego Simeone (14/1).
Oddschecker spokesperson George Elek: “When looking at potential replacements for under pressure Zinedine Zidane, one person that immediately springs to mind is Mauricio Pochettino.
“Zidane’s inability and unwillingness to bring through young talent has been a major bugbear of the Bernabeu faithful, and Poch’s track record in bringing through youth only works in his favour. Having experience in La Liga is also a bonus for the Spurs boss, managing to take three points off Guardiola’s Barcelona and Real Madrid respectively during his time in Spain.
“Adding together Madrid’s horrendous run of form, Spurs beating Madrid in the Champions League and Los Blancos’ reported top target being Harry Kane this summer – it’s easy to see why this Pochettino story is gathering pace.”
