Mancini, Laudrup & Ramos On Madrid Shortlist

The players and the management might be denying it in the press but there is little doubt that Bernd Schuster's job at Real Madrid is under pressure at the moment.

After crashing out of the Copa Del Rey this week, reports have surfaced that if Los Blancos fail to beat Valladolid this weekend the coach be sacked. With a view to that happening it is being reported today by Spanish daily AS that Real Madrid sporting director, Pedja Mijatovic, has drawn up a shortlist of possible replacements.

Seemingly the most attractive name in that list for the fans is ex-Internazionale coach Roberto Mancini, who has been unemployed since the summer. The Italian is known to be seeking a new challenge and whilst he has been linked with previous jobs nothing has come of it, as of yet.

Along with Mancini AS also reports that two former La Liga coaches could be up for the post, Michael Laudrup and Juande Ramos. The former, who coached Getafe until he moved to Spartak Moscow in the summer, would no doubt be a popular choice amongst the fans after spending two years with the club as a player.

Ramos on the other hand seems more than likely to return to Spain after a disastrous season with Tottenham Hotspur and it would be no surprise if he did come to the capital. The former Sevilla boss is known for his good tactical management skills and with Real Madrid seemingly in turmoil across the pitch he could be just the man for the job.

James Walker-Roberts