Arsene Wenger’s announcement that we will quit at the end of the season could have repercussions for Real Madrid with reports that Florentino Perez is concerned about who Arsenal will target to replace the Frenchman.
It’s been reported by Spanish outlet Don Balon, that Perez has always wanted Germany’s Joachim Low as Zinedine Zidane’s replacement but Low and Max Allegri at Juventus are understood to be the top targets for the North London club.
There is some uncertainty about Zidane’s future at Real Madrid beyond the end of the season with the possibility of a sabbatical in the offing or he may even be sacked if Real Madrid fail to win the Champions League for the third successive year.
Low is currently making preparations for the German national side to defend their title at the World Cup in Russia this summer. His work with the senior side has generated a lot of interest from domestic clubs and Bayern Munich, who have been without a permanent manager since September, are thought to be holding out for his services.
Zidane signed a contract extension in January which runs until 2020, but that counts for little at the Santiago Bernabeu where Perez has hired 11 managers in two spells spanning 15 years as president. The Frenchman has won eight trophies in his two years in charge of Los Blancos but is suffering a tough season in which Real posed no threat to Barcelona’s successful league title campaign.
Much hinges on Real’s performance in the Champions League where they are bidding for a record third consecutive title in the modern era. Los Blancos have drawn the most difficult semi final tie against Bayern Munich who they meet in the first leg in Germany on Wednesday before playing the second leg in Madrid on 1 May.
With the World Cup taking place this summer, there will be a number of managerial opportunities opening up at domestic and international level. 58-year-old Low has been in charge of Germany for 10 years and, although keeping cards close to his chest at the moment, may feel the time is right for the challenge of managing one of Europe’s top club sides. The vacancies at Bayern Munich and Arsenal may force Perez’ hand as the Real Madrid president could be reluctant to risk missing the opportunity of securing his long term target.
