Next Real Madrid Manager Odds

Carlo Ancelotti returned to Real Madrid for his second spell as manager in June 2021, signing a contract until 2024. His first season back was a success as he led the club to the La Liga title and Champions League trophy. 

However, Ancelotti came under pressure during the 2022/23 campaign as Real Madrid failed to retain either trophy, only winning the Copa del Rey. There were rumours that the club considered sacking Ancelotti mid-season due to poor performances in key matches. Though he kept his job, Ancelotti's tactics and over-reliance on individual brilliance have faced criticism. 

With Ancelotti bound to take charge of the Brazil national team in 2024, the club is definitely thinking about a successor already.

Real Madrid Next Manager Betting List

The bookmakers see Raul as the favourite when it comes to the next Real Madrid manager odds, perhaps because he’s already working within the club’s structure and would be the easiest to appoint. The other names on the list are no strangers to the club either.

Manager	PADDY POWER ODDS
Raul	2.00
Xabi Alonso	6.00
Julian Nagelsmann	6.00
Zinedine Zidane	7.00
Jose Mourinho	8.50

Raul

Raul is a Real Madrid legend who spent 16 trophy-laden years at the club as a player, making 741 appearances and scoring 323 goals. He is considered one of the greatest players in the club's history. Similar to his playing career, Raul began his coaching career at Real Madrid when he took over the U15 side in 2018, before moving to the reserve side Real Madrid Castilla in 2019. He has established himself as a demanding coach who lays emphasis on hard work, dedication, discipline and empowering his players.

At just 45 years old, Raul represents an exciting young Spanish coaching talent who knows the club inside out. Having played for and now coached at Real Madrid for over 20 years, Raul understands the prestigious history and winning mentality expected at the Bernabeu.

Xabi Alonso

Xabi Alonso enjoyed a successful 5-year spell with Real Madrid as a player between 2009-2014. The elegant midfield maestro made 214 appearances and scored 19 goals, winning La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Champions League. Alonso started coaching at Real Madrid's academy after retiring, before gaining experience managing Real Sociedad's reserve team and then Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga.

In his first season with Leverkusen, Alonso led the struggling team to a 6th place finish in the Bundesliga and the semi-finals of the Europa League - an impressive achievement. His coaching style reflects his own playing days, with Alonso emphasizing quick decision making, player responsibility and ownership on the pitch. At 41 years old, he represents an experienced coach who has demonstrated his abilities to both develop youth and also manage at the highest level. Alonso would bring fresh ideas to Real Madrid while maintaining his strong connection with the club from his time as a player.

Julian Nagelsmann

Julian Nagelsmann is considered one of the best young coaches in Europe despite being fired by Bayern Munich earlier this year. At just 36 years old, he has already managed in the Champions League and won the Bundesliga title with Bayern in his first season. Nagelsmann is renowned for his attacking, dynamic brand of football that focuses on innovation, creativity and adaptability.

While he was unable to implement his distinctive style successfully at Bayern, Nagelsmann remains highly rated across Europe for his tactical nous, in-game management and ability to improve players. He shares similar footballing philosophies to Ancelotti in terms of dominating possession and controlling matches. However, Nagelsmann would bring more tactical experimentation and innovations to Real Madrid. Appointing such a young, ambitious and tactically astute coach could provide the bold change of direction many feel is needed at the Bernabeu. He was linked with Real Madrid at several points in the past.

Zinedine Zidane

The legendary player Zinedine Zidane transitioned seamlessly into management, enjoying tremendous success in his two spells as Real Madrid manager (2016-2018 and 2019-2021). These included an unprecedented three consecutive Champions League triumphs. Zidane has an understated, man-management focused style that places emphasis on motivating players and adapting tactics based on opponents.

While Zidane's tactical approach has been criticized as basic at times, his stellar record at Real Madrid cannot be argued with. He has an innate understanding of the prestige and winning mentality engrained at the club given his playing days and first stint as manager. Zidane built an excellent rapport with players while also commanding their respect. His strong connection with the club, eye for talent and proven winning mentality could see him return to the Bernabeu dugout. Zidane represents a safe option that would likely be popular with both players and fans.

He is still jobless after leaving. 

Jose Mourinho

Jose Mourinho is one of the most successful, decorated and polarizing managers in football history. He spent three seasons at Real Madrid from 2010-2013, winning La Liga with a record points tally and also lifting the Copa del Rey. While Mourinho's tenure had its controversies, he proved he could deliver results at the highest level.

The Portuguese is renowned for his tactical intelligence, defensive organization and ability to build winning teams. Mourinho possesses extensive experience managing superstar players with big egos. While his spell in England ended poorly, Mourinho remains a proven winner with 20 major honours as a manager. Most recently, Mourinho brought AS Roma to two consecutive European finals, winning the Conference League in 2022 and going down to Sevilla in Europa League on penalties in 2023. The Conference League title was Roma’s first trophy since 2008.

At 60 years old, he represents an astute short-term option who could immediately steady the ship at Real Madrid and install a winning mentality after a disappointing season. However, whether his abrasive personality fits the new culture at Real Madrid remains a question mark.