Michael Laudrup has reportedly emerged as a shock contender to succeed Zinedine Zidane as the Real Madrid manager.
According to a report by The Sun, Real Madrid’s search for a new manager has taken them in an interesting direction. Former Barcelona and Real Madrid player Michael Laudrup is being considered as the latest candidate to replace Zinedine Zidane at the helm at the Bernabeu.
Real Madrid are still reeling from Zinedine Zidane’s shock announcement on Thursday to relinquish his position as the club’s manager. That the resignation came just five days after the Frenchman had guided Los Blancos to their third successive Champions League triumph made it all the more surprising.
The announcement has reportedly sent Real Madrid president Florentino Perez and the club board into a frenzy, as they scramble to find a successor to Zidane. So far, the Spanish heavyweights have been linked with the likes of Jurgen Klopp and Mauricio Pochettino, while Antonio Conte and Guti have also been mooted as potential replacements.
Michael Laudrup’s agent Bayram Tutumlu: “Last night, we did not know Zidane’s plans. That’s why it’s brand new for everyone. But, of course, I’ve been in contact with people at Real Madrid, and Michael Laudrup is a candidate for the job.” pic.twitter.com/X4IjICPJWM
— NRJ (@NJ_rma) June 1, 2018
But, while luring Klopp away from Liverpool could prove to be a tall order, Pochettino has outright rebuffed links with Los Blancos. The latest name to emerge as a possible candidate though, can be called as slightly left field, with former Real Madrid and Barcelona player Michael Laudrup being considered to take over.
Laudrup was one of the greatest players to ever play for Denmark, and enjoyed an illustrious club career as well, representing the likes of Juventus, Barcelona, Real Madrid and Ajax, winning at least one league title with each of the clubs.
Post retirement, the 53-year-old has managed several clubs, achieving reasonable success with the likes of Brondby, Swansea City and Lekhwiya. But, his next job could be his biggest yet, and for the first time at a prominent European club, with Real Madrid interested in him.
Laudrup’s agent Bayram Tutumlu recently claimed that Real Madrid have held talks with him and is one of the front-runners to get the job. When quizzed on potentially moving back to the Bernabeu, the 53-year-old was coy on the links while adding that it would be a pleasure to manage the La Liga club.
That Laudrup has prior experiencing managing in La Liga and a club based in Madrid (Getafe), also works in his favour, in addition to the brand of free flowing attacking football that would complement the style Zidane used as the Real Madrid boss, potentially making the transition an easier one.
Laudrup guided unfancied Getafe to the Copa del Rey final as well as the UEFA Cup quarter-finals, departing after just one season. His one-year stint at Mallorca was impressive as well, as he kept the struggling side in La Liga against all odds.
A potential drawback in his appointment at Real Madrid though, could be the fact that Laudrup has never managed a big club, which brings with itself managing major figureheads of world football, something that the Dane is not used to.
The search for Real Madrid’s next manager is certainly taking an interesting turn, with several names emerging as possible successors to Zidane. It now remains to be seen if Laudrup ends up replacing the Frenchman at the helm, a move that could possibly leave a sour taste in the mouths of Barcelona fans.
