After being given the dreaded ‘vote of confidence’ from management that will almost surely signal the end of Rafael Benitez‘s short reign at Real Madrid, the legendary club will likely be in search of a new manager.
The options for Real Madrid are virtually endless considering many of the world’s greatest managing talents would probably pay the club for a chance to be their manager. Nonetheless, plenty of terrific managerial talents are available for Real Madrid if they’re willing to pay enough money or kiss and make up with one of their former managers.
Here is a ranking of the ten managers most suited to replace Rafa Benitez:
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10. Andre Villas-Boas
Villas-Boas’s short time with Porto was highlighted by one of the greatest seasons in club history. Though he failed to meet expectations in the Premier League with Chelsea and Tottenham, he has done an incredible job with Zenit St. Petersburg.
9. Jose Mourinho
While a reunion between Mourinho and the club seems incredibly unlikely considering the friction that remains between him and numerous Real Madrid players, there’s no question that he’s a proven winner and bring out the best of his players in the Champions League.
8. Carlo Ancelotti
After dumping Ancelotti for his inability to win La Liga, it would be a tough sell to bring him back unless Florentino Perez showed up at his house with two giant bags of money and roster control. Not the most likely proposition in the world, but an offer Ancelotti would likely accept in a heartbeat if given anything close to it.
7. Manuel Pellegrini
Though injuries have hurt Manchester City’s Premier League and Champions League ambitions, the club will almost definitely get rid of Manuel Pellegrini if he goes a second straight year without a title after the roster they put together. A reunion between Real Madrid and Pellegrini could work.
6. Laurent Blanc
Talks of a contract extension between Blanc and Paris Saint-Germain put a brief end to the possibility of him moving to Stamford Bridge. However, if Real Madrid open the wallet for the French legend, he would be hard-pressed to say no before the ink is dry.
5. Antonio Conte
The Italy manager led Juventus to three straight Serie A titles before accepting the Italy job. With a 63% win rate in all competitions since May 2011, Conte could bring that winning wisdom to Real Madrid.
4. Brendan Rodgers
While the idea of Real Madrid bringing in a man who couldn’t even lead Liverpool to a league title seems comical, Rodgers has the locker room control and right personality to tame the beast that is the Real fanbase.
3. Jorge Jesus
After winning 10 titles in six seasons with Benfica, the Primeira Liga giants were forced to watch Jorge Jesus walk away from the negotiating table and accept the job with Sporting. In his first match with Sporting, he beat his former club to win the 2015 Supertaca – and he currently has the team in a commanding lead on the league table.
2. Frank de Boer
The Ajax boss has turned the Eredivisie club into a major UEFA powerhouse, winning the league title in four of his first five seasons at the helm. He also served as Louis van Gaal’s assistant manager for the Netherlands, helping the team take 2nd place in the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
1. Zinedine Zidane
In what should probably amount to a no-brainer for Real Madrid, promoting Zidane from Real Madrid Castilla would be the ideal move to make. He is one of the most respected footballers in the world (even Michel Platini has expressed admiration for the French legend) and already has experience working with the first-team after serving as assistant manager to Carlo Ancelotti.