Real Madrid: who is the multi-champion coach that Florentino Pérez wants to replace Zinedine Zidane

Real Madrid is living complicated days after the club was kicked out of the historic Copa del Rey by third-tier team Alcoyano on Wednesday. The biggest part of all critics is directed to Zinedine Zidane. Despite he was always recognized for his capacitiy and his leading skills in the dressing room, his period in charge could be over. There could already be a replacement.

Florentino Pérez could already have his mind made up for it. Spanish media already place a name on the table for the man who could arrive to Santiago Bernabeu, and replace the French legend, who is allegedly spending his last days in his role.

The name that could be on top of the list is Marcelo Gallardo. The 46-year-old coach from Argentina has overseen River Plate since July 2014. He emerged up from the club’s youth divisions and launching a successful career in Monaco and PSG as a player. Then, he had three spells in River Plate and a season in MLS playing for DC United in 2008, before retiring in Uruguay’s giants Nacional by 2011. In Argentina's national team, he had appearances in 1998 and 2002 World Cups, and the 1996 Olympic Games.

His biggest moments in his life came when he became River Plate’s coach, leading the club to its best years, winning a Copa Sudamericana (2014) and two Copa Libertadores (2015 and 2019) among other trophies. His leading skills have been hugely praised by the media, and the fans consider him their best coach ever.

His repeated victories over lifetime rivals Boca Juniors put him on top, and their Libertadores title in 2018 against them is regarded as the club’s biggest achievement in 120 years of life. Coincidence or not, that trophy was decided in Real Madrid’s soil.

Many coaches like Vicente Del Bosque have considered Gallardo ready for challenges like Real Madrid. After his glorious memory in the Santiago Bernabeu, that place could become his new home.