5 candidates to replace Julen Lopetegui as Real Madrid boss

Real Madrid are on the hunt for another head coach after sacking Julen Lopetegui.

The former Spain coach has been dismissed after just 14 games in charge, the last of which saw Real thrashed 5-1 by Barcelona in El Clasico on Sunday.

Here, Press Association Sport looks at a quintet of early candidates in the frame to take on the challenge of one of the top jobs in world football.

Antonio Conte

Santiago Solari

The man who has been placed in temporary charge. Real have shown a tendency to promote from within and their former midfielder and now reserve coach could follow in the footsteps of Zinedine Zidane, who stepped up to take the reins of the senior side midway through the 2015-16 season and guided them to three successive Champions League titles before standing down earlier this year. Solari played 131 times for Real, winning two LaLiga titles and one Champions League crown.

Arsene Wenger

Guti

A true Real Madrid man, the former playmaker won five LaLiga titles and three Champions Leagues during a career which included almost 550 appearances for Los Merengues. The 41-year-old coached the youth teams at the club for several years following the end of his playing career but left the club in the summer to become Senol Gunes’ assistant at former club Besiktas. He would be a favourable appointment with Real supporters, even if he lacks big-game experience as a boss.

Mauricio Pochettino