Real Madrid are hard at work trying to identify and hire a new manager to replace Alvaro Arbeloa at the end of the season.
Jurgen Klopp appears to the most preferred option, while other names like Jose Mourinho, Mauricio Pochettino, and Didier Deschamps are also in contention for the position.
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has made the decision to trust his instincts and make the hiring decision by himself instead of going with his advisors’ input like it happened with Xabi Alonso.
Real Madrid setting conditions for appointment
And, according to journalist Joaquin Maroto (via Ramon Alvarez), Real Madrid have set some conditions with regard to their hunt for the next manager to take over from Arbeloa.
For starters, Los Blancos do not wish to pay a release clause to bring in the new coach. This complicates matters for Mourinho, who is desperate to return to the club, but has a €6 million exit clause, which the Merengues are reluctant to pay.
Battling it out for the Real Madrid job. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)
Meanwhile, Real Madrid also want someone who can take charge of the team immediately after the end of the season.
That is because Los Blancos will be scouting players at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the summer and want the manager to make decisions about any moves.
This makes things difficult for Mauricio Pochettino, who will be managing the USA at the World Cup this summer.
This also affects the chances of Deschamps, who is held in high regard at Real Madrid, but will be in charge of the French national team at the World Cup.
That is why, even with Klopp, who seems to be the favourite candidate, Real Madrid would want to wrap up his appointment by June 10, so that he can be in charge in time to make decisions heading into the World Cup.
