Odds Favor Antonio Conte as Next Real Madrid Manager After Zidane Steps Down

• Zinedine Zidane has stepped down as Real Madrid manager after a disappointing end to the season
• Following his departure from Inter, Antonio Conte is the favorite to succeed Zidane
• Read below for the latest Real Madrid next manager odds and betting advice

Real Madrid are once again on the lookout for a new manager. Zinedine Zidane has left the club following an underwhelming season which saw Atletico Madrid win La Liga and Real suffer Champions League semifinal defeat to Chelsea.

On the back of an historic Scudetto win with Inter, Antonio Conte is the bookies’ favorite to replace Zidane at the Bernabeu. He’s followed by PSG boss Mauricio Pochettino, who has been heavily linked with Spurs this week.

Former Real Madrid players are all over this market with Raul at +600, Xabi Alonso and +1600 and Guti, Iker Casillas, Santiago Solari and Fernando Hierro all featuring as longshot options.

Next Real Madrid Manager Odds

Odds as of May 27 at William Hill

Zidane Leaves Big Shoes to Fill

It’s not easy to win the admiration of the Real Madrid fans. Zinedine Zidane has done just that with a glittering on-field career before winning numerous trophies as a manager.

One of the most successful individuals in football history 👑

What next for Zinedine Zidane? 💭 pic.twitter.com/8COVDMRKPI

— GOAL (@goal) May 27, 2021

The former France international had an extraordinary first stint from 2016 to 2018. During that spell, he won the 2016-17 La Liga title and three consecutive Champions Leagues, an unprecedented achievement in the modern era. Zidane was rewarded with Best FIFA Football Coach in 2017, which he also finished as runner-up in 2016 and 2018.

His second spell in charge was less successful. Winning La Liga in 2019-20 was a good achievement, but he was unable to replicate the European glory. Los Blancos were outclassed by Chelsea in the Champions League final. Often regarded as a master of the big games, Zidane saw his team drop points down the stretch, which enabled Atletico to win La Liga, too.

https://twitter.com/Fanzine_com/status/1397893402247696396

The time was right for Zidane to leave the position. Real Madrid is desperate for immediate success, and whoever succeeds Zidane faces a big challenge to build a new team as key players age and depart.

Conte On the Market

With Inter planning to make substantial sales this summer, Antonio Conte is searching for a new job. The Italian guided the Nerazzuri to their first Scudetto since 2009-10. There is no shortage of suitors for Conte right now, and he has already been linked for a return to the Premier League with Tottenham.

Blimey! Antonio Conte for Real, possibly. https://t.co/uC4p24lHaV

— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) May 26, 2021

Real Madrid, though, can offer prestige, Champions League football and spending power. The desire for short-term success at the Bernabeu is an obvious fit with Conte, who has developed a reputation as the ultimate win-now coach, bringing silverware to Stamford Bridge and San Siro before departing.

Conte and Florentino Perez doesn’t seem like a relationship which would last long. That might not bother either party, however, particularly if Perez is looking to chase one last glorious season before rebuilding the team. Given the uncertainty, the price is a bit too short to represent betting value at this point.

Pochettino In Demand

Mauricio Pochettino only took over at PSG in January of this year. Despite having just arrived, rumors of a change of scenery are afoot. Talks about a return to Spurs have been widely reported, and the former Argentina international is an early candidate for the Real Madrid job.

Real Madrid have made Mauricio Pochettino their top managerial target after Zinedine Zidane's exit, Goal can confirm 🗣 pic.twitter.com/c8yx4PEfEq

— GOAL (@goal) May 27, 2021

Leaving PSG at all seems strange. They might have been pipped to the Ligue 1 title, but this is still a squad capable of winning the Champions League. Where Real Madrid are leaning on ageing stars, PSG’s key players are peaking. Pochettino swapping Paris for Madrid would be a decision based on Los Blancos’ reputation more than anything else. Of course, he wouldn’t be the first person in football to make such a choice, but it’s a risk.

Much like Conte, this is too short a price for Pochettino. He has unfinished business at PSG.

Eyes On Raul

Raul has won under 40% of his matches as Real Madrid Castilla manager since taking the job in 2019. It’s not a record that screams for a promotion, yet there are plenty of reasons for Los Blancos to consider him.

My heart is telling me Raúl is the perfect man to replace Zidane as Real Madrid manager. ⚪️⚪️ pic.twitter.com/qN3lFQ2KKi

— Madridistas Mafia (@realmadridmafia) May 27, 2021

This is the path Zinedine Zidane took to the first team. It didn’t work out when they tried to repeat the trick with Santiago Solari, but Raul’s status is far greater. He’s the second-highest scorer in club history. No player has made more appearances for the club. The Spaniard guided Real to success in the UEFA Youth League in 2019-20, and won all there is to win as a player, including three Champions Leagues.

With fans disappointed about last season, Perez can chase a big name. Alternatively, he could go for Raul, a club legend. Raul has plenty managerial experience (unlike when Juventus hired Andrea Pirlo) and he might be the man to usher through the next generation of homegrown stars. The +600 price looks like great value.

Best Bet: Raul +600