Having defeated their greatest rivals on Tuesday, you would be forgiven for thinking that everything was rosy at the Bernabeu and Spain’s self proclaimed greatest club would be celebrating victory. However, the win came in the Copa del Rey and doubts still weigh heavy amongst the Madrid faithful and the special one, or only one as he has re-christened himself, has seen his stock diminish at the capital club.
More so in a year when Florentino Pérez wishes to prevail at the polls and have himself re-elected as Madrid President, yet finds his side having been beaten 5 times in the league and 16 points behind their greatest rivals. The fact that Mourinho is still in a job is a source of consternation for many a Madrid socio.
Which begs the question, who would want to sit in the hottest seat in world football?
It may appear a daunting prospect, but there are many that would and have already been linked with replacing Jose Mourinho.
According to a recent poll run by Madrid daily AS, Michael Laudrup came out on top with 74% of all votes in his favour to become the new supremo. Previous favourite Carlo Ancelotti, currently coach of PSG but in a similar situation of non-confidence from players and supporters of his current club, came in a distant second.
Chelsea’s “interim coach” Rafa Benitez came in even further behind in third. The fact that Laudrup’s “Spanish Swansea” won last weekend’s Capital One Cup and are playing a style of football that many appreciate will make him seem more appealing to Pérez, as well as the fact that the player defected from Catalunya to play for the Merengues during his playing career. A notable absentee from the list, and one known to be a long time favourite of President Pérez, is Arsene Wenger.
The Frenchman is now in his eighth season without a trophy at the London giants and could well seek a new challenge at a club that would offer him unlimited resources to achieve its own goal and dream of the 10th European Cup, something that he has had to go without to ensure financial stability at the Emirates.
At the time of writing, a wave of euphoria has overcome Madrid. However, come early evening Saturday, that situation could have changed, once again.
There is also the small matter of a Champions League return at Old Trafford to contend with. Could the question of who will be Madrid’s next coach could be answered before the season’s end?
