Real Madrid keeping tabs on Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino as a potential successor for Zinedine Zidane
Los Blancos' chiefs have been left impressed by the Argentinian since he became Spurs boss, and especially after the two sides played out a 1-1 draw in the Champions League
REAL MADRID are eyeing Mauricio Pochettino as a possible successor to Zinedine Zidane.
Tottenham’s boss impressed Bernabeu chiefs with the way he conducted himself before, during and after Tuesday’s 1-1 Champions League draw in Spain.
The Spanish giants’ president, Florentino Perez, made it clear he has absolutely no plans to get rid of current coach Zidane.
But Real fear the time may come when the French legend wants to call it a day.
And Perez told pals that if that happened soon, Poch would be his No 1 choice to take over.
The Argentinian, 45, has done an outstanding job since taking charge of Spurs in June 2014.
He has steered them to third and second in the Premier League in the last two seasons - and done it on a smaller budget than his top-flight rivals.
And the fact that Poch used to manage Barcelona’s local rivals Espanyol - and was recently involved in a spat with his former Nou Camp counterpart Pep Guardiola - only enhances his credentials with the Madrid club’s hierarchy.
Meanwhile, Pochettino will have more talks with chairman Daniel Levy and chief scout Steve Hitchen to discuss possible targets for January’s transfer window.
Everton midfielder Ross Barkley is thought to be high on their list of potential targets, plus Leicester winger Demarai Gray.
