Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has reportedly identified Germany boss Joachim Low as the man he wants to replace head coach Zinedine Zidane.
Real's season is fast becoming a write-off, with the club out of the Copa del Rey, 19 points behind Barcelona in La Liga and tipped to lose to PSG in the Champions League round of 16.
According to Mundo Deportivo, Perez is already looking forward to the 2018-19 campaign and has made Low his 'main bet' as he seeks to recruit a new man to lead the first team.
Low is under contract until 2020 so the German FA would be due significant compensation from Real if he was to take Zidane's job.
Meanwhile, Zidane — who has led Real to back-to-back Champions League crowns as well as winning last season's Spanish title — would have to be paid off handsomely because his lucrative contract also has just over two years left on it.
Although Low, 58, is said to be Perez's first pick, Mundo Deportivo also name Massimiliano Allegri, Mauricio Pochettino, Jurgen Klopp, Maurizio Sarri and Guti as possible candidates to take over from Zidane at the Bernabeu.
Zidane has been at the helm since January 2016, taking charge of 125 matches and winning more than 70 per cent of them.
The 45-year-old's managerial achievements at Real have further enhanced his reputation as a club legend, which he earned during six seasons in Madrid as a player.
He helped Real win La Liga in 2003 after scoring a stunning winning goal against Bayer Leverkusen in the 2002 Champions League final.
Low has been in charge of the German national side since 2006.
The former Stuttgart, Fenerbahce and Austria Wien boss led Germany to third place at the 2010 World Cup, before winning the tournament in 2014.
His Germany team came second at Euro 2008 and bowed out in the semi-finals in 2012 and 2016.
Agyeman24
89
money is what they are looking for
Beoabcirt
58
How sensible is it that a coach must win at least one major trophy for him to maintain his position in respective of his recent rare unprecedented achievements? Are Real Madrid the only strong club in Europe as to think that they must always win? Let them try making the mistake of sacking Ziden!
10daimary
53
Joachim Low, you are not a battery low. Come to Madrid, i can't see Madrid in this form. I think Zidane charge their battery over inch last season and they got pregnant this season. Now they need Joachim Low ti low down battery.😂😂😆😄
Juweiglc33
52
Low is certainly succeed in working for Germany but there are a lot of differences between national team and club，especially a club like Real Madrid.So it is hard to know whether he will succeed in working for a club.But if Low work for Bayren . I think it is a choice for Low Because he knows Bayern’s player well . Also he is the best one for Bayern instead I think.
subinraj123
47
I think zidan was good coach at all...he showed his performance since 2016...also he never have any tension at all time....his main aim is make the real Madrid at profitable club ever
Hala_Madrid090
43
If low comes then Zidane thank you for your great coaching, thanks for making madrid Winn champions league back to back, also for other trophies, you will always be remembered.
Kaulou Janme
29
everything there is time...time to laugh,time to depart and so on...life goes like this, so things should be alter as times does...we hope present Head COACH OF REAL MADRID WILL SURELY CONTINUE HIS career IN OTHER CLUB AS HEAD COACH.....AND WON trophies FOR THEIR CLUB AS HE DOES IN MADRID...THANKS ZINEDINE,WE SALUTE YOU
enKay
23
I will be shocked if Zidane losses his job. He's win everything there's to win at club level (bar the Copa del Ray). He will come out of this struggle with success. Remember, he is still learning his trade. #Zizou in.