Following the sacking of Xabi Alonso in January, Alvaro Arbeloa was appointed on an interim basis as the club searches for their next full-time manager. Depending on how the rest of the season plays out Arbeloa could be in line for the full-time role but the club is still drawing up a list of candidates just in case they decide to go a different route. A number of Europe's biggest name managers are on the list, however the club have just added a new name to the list, one that leaves many scratching their heads.
As being reported by Fabrice Hawkins of RMC Sport on X, Real Madrid have added current France manager Didier Deschamps to their shortlist of candidates they are considering to be the new head coach next season. The 57-year-old has been in the role since 2012 but will be departing following this summers World Cup, opening the door for the switch to club football, with Los Blancos being strongly interested.
Real Madrid land on head scratching head coaching candidate
For the longest time the names of Jurgen Klopp and Massemilliano Allegri have been the top names being considered to be the next full-time manager, but now Deschamps is a strong contender and has one major factor playing into his favor, Kylian Mbappe.
The French duo have found loads of success together, winning the 2018 World Cup, 2021 UEFA Nations League as well as coming runner up at the 2022 World Cup. Mbappe has bagged 48 goals in 86 appearances for the national team under Deschamps and is a cornerstone piece for his system and would no doubt be open to the idea of linking up with his former national team boss at the Bernabeu.
As mentioned earlier Deschamps' tenure with the French National Team will be coming to an end following this summer's World Cup with him set to be replaced by former Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane, somewhat of a manager merry-go-round with France and Real Madrid, which some could view as insulting to Zidane, to hire the guy he's replacing to manage the club where he found loads of success during his time in charge.
The question still remains though, would Deschamps want to take the job? He's been in his France role since 2012 and may not be eager to jump back into management and could look to take a year or two off to recharge before taking his next job. Mbappe will no doubt be pushing for his hire but at the moment who exactly Real Madrid will hire as their next full-time manager reamins unknown.