Mauricio Pochettino, out of work since being sacked by Tottenham last November despite leading them to the Champions League final just months before that, has been constantly linked with the managererial roles at Real Madrid and Manchester United.
United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has also been under constant pressure at Old Trafford with Pochettino’s name regularly mentioned as a potential successor although a move to the Bernabeu has also been circulating with Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane also feeling the heat as Real were most recently beaten by Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League on Tuesday and now face an uphill battle to qualify for the last-16.
And, according to Spanish outlet Marca, Zidane now has just four games to save his job with Pochettino tipped to take over.
The quartet of matches Zidane reportedly has on his agenda are not simple ones with a trip to Sevilla and the upcoming Madrid derby with Atletico all looming the next ten days.
Zidane had been the primary architect guiding Real to three successive Champions League titles in his first spell in charge and insists he will not step down, saying adamantly after the Shakhtar result: “I am not going to resign – not at all. We have always had delicate moments. It is true that it is a bad streak in terms of results, but we must continue.
“It is a difficult moment but I am convinced that we are going to bring out our character. We have to win the next game. I am convinced that we can do it.”
Pochettino had recently said he is ready to return to the game, admitting: “I always feel ready to get back involved in the game. I love football, it’s my job.
“It’s not a stress when you are working, it’s not a stress to go into the training ground, it’s not a stress to prepare the game, it’s not a stress to compete.
“My hair is long, look. I hope to cut it when we start working again to work.
“I am looking forward again to being involved in the game.”
Credit: Football Tribe Malaysia
