His managerial performance in the youth setup had impressed many in the club hierarchy as well as then-Real Madrid manager, who had insisted in February that Guti has what it takes to be at the helm at the Bernabeu.
“Yes, I see him [as being] He is preparing himself to be a coach in the future and it could be at Real Madrid. He’s in good shape, he’s someone who is from this club, he’s always been here and one day it will be his dream as well.”
As it now stands, Zidane has left called it quits as the Real Madrid boss, shockingly handing in his resignation just five days after he had guided Los Blancos to their record breaking, third successive Champions League triumph.
Zidane’s departure has sent the Real Madrid board into a frenzied state, with several names – prominent and otherwise – being mooted as the next manager. Among these, were Jurgen Klopp, Mauricio Pochettino, Massimiliano Allegri and Antonio Conte, among others.
Zidane's departure has created a frenzied atmosphere at Real Madrid. (Photo courtesy - Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)
Zidane’s departure has created a frenzied atmosphere at Real Madrid. (Photo courtesy – Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)
While their preference were Klopp and Pochettino, both managers are reportedly happy at their respective clubs and are not looking to force through a move to Real Madrid. Allegri, too, is unavailable, while the European champions have their doubts about Conte, making Guti one of their best available options.
The 41-year-old has already iterated that he won’t be coaching the Real Madrid Juvenil A side next season, possibly looking for a job as a senior manager. Scottish side St. Mirren were surprisingly linked with him while Real Murcia were interested as well, but the Spanish third-division club’s president Victor Galvez has claimed that Guti will coach the Real Madrid first-team next season.
“Guti will be the coach of Real Madrid so he won’t coach Murcia. I wish Zidane had stayed for two more days so that we could’ve completed the deal for Guti.”
If appointed, Guti will take a similar trajectory as Zidane, who managed the Real Madrid Castilla side before becoming the first-team coach. Real Madrid fans would now be hoping that the club legend is able to continue his predecessor’s success, should he take over at the Bernabeu.