Real Madrid: Ranking the four main candidates to replace Zidane after Allegri goes to Juve

2. Antonio Conte

Now we come to Antonio Conte, who started getting linked to the Real Madrid job after rumors surfaced that he would leave Inter. Despite winning the Scudetto and breaking up his former club, Juve’s, run of dominance in Calcio, Conte has agreed to leave in order to avoid suffering from ownership’s poor financial management.

I bring that up, because I see people blaming Conte for “drama” at Inter. The opposite is the case. Conte should be commended for leading Inter to an amazing season through all the off-field controversy at the club. Conte has done a tremendous job of maximizing the talent there and is one of the finest managers in the world tactically. His ideas and execution are incredible.

The problem with hiring Conte is that this manager demands respect and trust to a degree that is above any other manager. Any dissent, any issues from players or executives, and he is out. He does not have time for that.

Real Madrid is a circus. If Zinedine Zidane felt disrespected by Florentino Perez leaking that he’d be fired for losing an important game, then Conte is going to be in for a world of hurt in Madrid, because this type of pressure and rumor-mongering is constant. And Perez is known for cycling through managers. The fans are relentless as well.

Conte would still be a great hire, just because he’s the best manager available in terms of his acumen and accomplishments. It’s just that if you hire him, be prepared for another shakeup in the future. Though Real may not mind that, since the No. 1 candidate is also someone who could succeed him.