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<p>Arbeola temporarily in charge</p>
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alt="Zidane, Klopp & Co: Five Real Madrid managerial candidates to succeed Alonso"
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title="Zidane, Klopp & Co: Five Real Madrid managerial candidates to succeed Alonso" />
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<p>Xabi Alonso’s tenure at Real Madrid has come to an abrupt end after just seven months. Florentino Pérez relieved the 44-year-old of his duties on Monday, a decision made just a day after Barcelona’s victory in the Super Cup final. However, signs of Alonso's struggles were evident long before that. While he developed a strong reputation at Bayer Leverkusen, where he ended Bayern Munich’s dominance in the Bundesliga, he struggled to make a similar impact at Madrid.</p>
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<p>Although Alonso achieved a commendable 2.24 points per game, he ultimately failed to earn the respect needed in the high-pressure environment of the Real Madrid dressing room, which played a significant role in his downfall. Despite this setback, Alonso remains a sought-after young coach and will attract interest from various clubs. Meanwhile, Madrid has appointed Álvaro Arbeloa as interim manager and is reportedly considering waiting until the summer to appoint a new permanent head coach. In light of this, Transfermarkt has identified five potential candidates to lead the most prestigious club in the world.</p>
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<p><strong>Zinédine Zidane</strong></p>
<p>Zidane is seen as a strong contender for an emotional return to Madrid, potentially marking his third stint as head coach. The legendary Frenchman notably led the team to three consecutive Champions League victories but has not taken on a managerial role since departing in 2021. Zidane is well-regarded by the players and possesses the man-management skills to unify a divided squad. He expressed a desire to return to management soon, but he also has aspirations to take over the French national team, having reached a verbal agreement to succeed Didier Deschamps after the World Cup.</p>
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<p><strong>Thomas Tuchel</strong></p>
<p>With many coaches out of contract this summer, Tuchel stands out as a top-tier candidate. Currently focused on breaking England’s trophy drought, he is expected to shift back to club management regardless of future results. Tuchel is a world-class manager with extensive experience at major European clubs, having won the Champions League with Chelsea and secured league titles with both Bayern Munich and PSG.</p>
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<p><strong>Jürgen Klopp</strong></p>
<p>Reports from Sky Sports Germany suggest that Klopp might be open to a return to management with Real Madrid, though the 58-year-old quickly distanced himself from these rumors. “Yes, definitely a few people reached out to me directly,” Klopp stated on ServusTV. “This indicates that something isn’t right at the moment. This situation has nothing to do with me, and it hasn’t spurred any action on my part.” After his time at Liverpool, Klopp stated he was uninterested in managerial roles, currently serving as Head of Global Soccer at Red Bull. However, there are doubts about his commitment to this stance.</p>
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<p><strong>Enzo Maresca</strong></p>
<p>Maresca is a leading contender to take Klopp’s place and is available for free after leaving Chelsea in January. Despite his tumultuous exit from Stamford Bridge, he left with an impressive reputation, winning two trophies and ensuring Chelsea's return to the Champions League. Maresca is popular among clubs in Europe and has been linked with a return to Manchester City to succeed Pep Guardiola. However, the allure of leading Real Madrid could be irresistible.</p>
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<p><strong>Julien Nagelsmann</strong></p>
<p>Nagelsmann disclosed that he turned down an approach from Madrid in 2018 when Jose Angel Sanchez sought to replace Zidane. At just 32, he opted to stay at Hoffenheim before eventually taking the helm at RB Leipzig. His time at Bayern Munich was somewhat divisive, but he remains one of the best young coaches globally. While his contract with the German national team runs until 2028, there is uncertainty surrounding his future following the World Cup.</p>
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