Marca reports that Kylian Mbappé will play a pivotal role in the selection of Real Madrid’s next coach, as Florentino Pérez’s administration is considering two candidates who have previously worked with the French star.
According to the Spanish newspaper, Mauricio Pochettino is currently the “ideal candidate” to take over at Real Madrid next season, given his extensive experience in Spanish football as both a player and a coach, as well as his ability to manage star players in the dressing room.
The Argentine coach is expected to leave his position with the US national team after the 2026 World Cup, and has previously hinted at his willingness to manage Los Blancos if the opportunity arises. President Florentino Pérez believes the 53-year-old is a perfect fit for the new project at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Besides Pochettino, Real Madrid’s management is also considering Didier Deschamps, who will also leave the French national team after the 2026 World Cup and has had a close relationship with Kylian Mbappé since 2017.
While Pochettino currently has the edge in this race, Marca asserts that Mbappé will play a role in the final decision, and that club president Florentino Perez may consult him, given his experience working with both players over the years.
Pochettino previously coached Mbappé for a year and a half at Paris Saint-Germain, and the relationship between the two was amicable. However, the 26-year-old is expected to favor Deschamps due to their successful collaborations with the French national team.
