Former Real Madrid player, Santiago Solari, on Tuesday, November 13th, was confirmed as Real Madrid coach until 2021following his successful spell in charge as caretaker manager of the European champions.
The 42-year-old won all four of the matches he oversaw as temporary first-team boss following the sacking of Julen Lopetegui last month.
That is the best start of any manager in the club’s illustrious history having downed Melilla, Viktoria Plzen, Real Valladolid and Celta Vigo while scoring 15 goals and conceding just two – a far cry to their form under predecessor Lopetegui.
Real Madrid still face a battle to contest for top honours this season with the void left by Cristiano Ronaldo – who scored 450 goals in just nine years at the Bernabeu – still evident after he joined Juventus in the summer.
But with Real’s El Clasico rivals Barcelona also stuttering – having lost 4-3 despite the return of Lionel Messi at home to Real Betis at the weekend – there is still a chance to enjoy a successful season.
Football pundits are of the opinion that Scolari needs to perform very well in LaLiga and in the Champions League for him to stay till 2021 as Real Madrid boss.
It had been suggested before Solari’s permanent appointment that Real could put the former midfielder in place in the hotseat before displacing him in the summer and going all-out for Pochettino.
“How can you even chip a little piece out of three Champions League victories on the trot? That is not happening,” Nicol declared when asked if Solari could do as Zinedine Zidane did after the Frenchman won three European titles in three seasons having initially been an interim coach.
“Santi has to push Barcelona all the way in the league and have a decent run in the Champions League to have any chance.
“I think the chances are slim. He’s in exactly the same position that Zidane was in.
“Zidane was put in charge, in my opinion, until they could figure out who they actually wanted.
“Now Zidane turned round and won three Champions League titles. Is Santi going to do that? I don’t think so.
“Unless something incredible happens then Santi will be gone at the end of the year.
“I would suggest his contract, which is until 2021, that he look at the fine print.” Nicol added.
Again, football legend, Diego Maradona also share the view that the former Castilla coach lacks the backing of the board, experience, maturity to lead a star studded three straight European champions to success.
“I would only say that in both cases Scolari don’t have enough backing for both teams. However, if they were put there then it was because they had the backing of the Argentina federation president and the Real Madrid president, but I don’t think they will be around for long. Coaches have a life span and and theirs will not be too long.”
And with 15 goals scored and only two conceded, the 42-year-old Argentinian has established the best ever start for a Real manager.
After thrashing Melilla in the Copa del Rey, they won 5-0 away to Viktoria Plzen in the Champions League, between victories over Real Valladolid and Celta Vigo in La Liga.
The upturn has left Madrid only four points adrift of league leaders Barcelonaand on the brink of qualification for the last 16 in Europe.
Real Madrid have changed under the technical direction of Santiago Solari.
Los Blancos are more aggressive, quicker and score more goals.The statistics at the moment looks favorable when compared to Julen Lopetegui’s time at Real Madrid.
He gave Brazilian wonderkid Vinicius Junior opportunity into his team by switching formation from a 4-3-3 to a 4-2-3-1.
It was no coincidence that the goals began to flow from his first game in charge, against Melilla in the Copa del Rey.With just four games, the team’s scoring output rose from 1.5 goals per game to 3.75. Real defence line also found stability conceding only two goals in four games.
Should Scolari fail to replicate the fine run the got him the job, notable top-class coaches are lined up to take his job. Embattled Manchester United boss, Jose Mourinho, former Chelsea manager, Antonio Conte, Tottenham’s Mauricio Pochettino and Joachim Low had all been linked to the Bernabau job position.
Sixth-placed Real face Eibar (November 24, 3pm) after the international break as they look to move up the La Liga table.
Anthony Nlebem
