Raul or Joachim Low: Who should replace Zinedine Zidane as Real Madrid boss?

As it stands, Real Madrid look in serious danger of ending the 2020/21 season trophyless. A shock defeat to Alcoyano in January dumped them out of the Copa del Rey, they are far from being favourites for the Champions League crown, and the only team looking likely to challenge Atletico Madrid to the La Liga title is Barcelona.

So, due to all of that, it could once again be au revoir to Zinedine Zidane come the end of the campaign.

And Real have reportedly already lined up club legend Raul and current-Germany boss Joachim Low as possible replacements. With Raul already in the club's set up and Low having confirmed he'll be stepping down as Germany boss after this summer's Euros, they're both attainable.

But should Los Blancos go with the young, handsome, slick, new managerial face of Raul or the bona fide German winner with dodgy hygiene habits that is Low? Well, let's take a look...

Style of play

If anyone knows Real Madrid, it is Raul. A legendary 16 year spell, with six La Liga title to show for it, will have been enough to give him a taste of what the Real fans expect. And the Spaniard is delivering excitement and attacking football week in week out in charge of Real Madrid Castilla.

The side are currently second in Segunda Division Group 5, and boast the best attack in the league with 30 goals in 18 games. Scoring goals has rarely been a problem for Real's second team and, indeed, under Zidane's guidance they also dominated the scoring charts.

However, Raul's team has had its defensive issues. This season, his Castilla team have the joint second worst defence in the league, having conceded 21 times.

Having been the German national side's manager for 15 years, Low has had to adapt his style of play on numerous occasions - something that is much more impressive than it sounds.

After a disastrous World Cup in 2018, Low has since regrouped well and transformed the Germany side into one of the clear favourites for upcoming tournaments. Currently boasting the likes of Leroy Sane, Serge Gnabry, Timo Werner and Kai Havertz, Low has had to rebuild his team into a liquid, fast-paced one, capable of bulldozing the opposition with ruthless attacking play.

Not only are they currently thrilling to watch, but Low's Germany are brilliantly effective, so far not conceding in their World Cup qualification campaign (having played Iceland and Romania).

Experience

Raul may not have even started his career in senior management yet, but he has a bloody decent CV nonetheless. In his debut season with Real's youth set up, he oversaw the Under-15 and Under-19 teams, winning the league title for both sides and not losing a single game throughout.

He also, most impressively, triumphed in the UEFA Youth League, just to add more continental success to Los Blancos' repertoire. Success with those teams has taken him up to his current role as Castilla boss and, although it hasn't been plain sailing, he has established himself there and looks a good bet for promotion.

It is also worth noting that Raul would be taking the same path as Zidane did - a promotion from Castilla boss to the top job. What did Zizou do after that? He won three consecutive Champions Leagues, of course.

Obviously, Raul's CV doesn't compare to Low's - that's a given.

If you'd forgotten, the man led Germany to the World Cup in 2014, beating hosts Brazil 7-1 along the way.

Longevity is very rare in today's footballing world so his 15-year reign as Die Mannschaft manager is something to be admired and respected. Although there have been downs during that time, winning the highest honour in football and keeping a side at the top of such a fast-changing sport for such a prolonged period is achievement enough for any job.

Should Raul or Joachim Low be the next Real Madrid manager?

It's a tough call, because both are evidently capable of filling the role - should it be vacated by Zidane.

Raul has already cemented himself in Los Blancos folklore and is doing well with youth teams, while Low's adaptability and pedigree can bring immediate success.

Having only become Castilla coach at the start of the season, the wise step to take from Real's point of view would be to give Raul more time. Zidane had two years with the side and it was only after a fantastic second season, in which they dominated the league, that the Frenchman got his promotion.

Low, on the other hand, has very little more to prove in the game. An adaptable and fluid brand of football would suit the attacking and efficient footballing philosophy of the club and, with his pedigree, you'd very much expect instant success should he take the reins at the Bernabeu.