Five contenders (and outsiders) as Arsene Wenger favourite to become next Real Madrid manager following Zidane's shock resignation

Arsene Wenger has been installed as the early favourite to succeed Zinedine Zidane as Real Madrid manager.

Zidane shocked the football world by announcing his decision to resign just five days after leading the club to its third successive Champions League title.

And as the decision was announced, former Arsenal boss Wenger shot to top of the bookies' lists.

Zidane's fellow Frenchman is as short as 5/2 with Skybet to become the next Real Madrid manager, but who are the other fancied names and the rank outsiders?

The five leading contenders to become Real Madrid's next manager

1. Arsene Wanger - 11/8 favourite

The 68-year-old resigned as Arsenal manager at the end of the season, having announced his decision on April 20. He spent 22 years in charge of the club, leading the Gunners to three Premier League titles and seven FA Cup successes. Wenger recently claimed that he had turned down approaches from Real Madrid "two or three times" even though they were "one of the teams (he) loved as a kid". With Wenger now out of a job, could this be the right opportunity at the right time?

                 

2. Mauricio Pochettino - 4/1

The current Tottenham manager caused some surprise last week when he penned a new five year deal, committing himself to the north London club until 2023. It had been rumoured that Pochettino's contract included a release clause should Real Madrid come calling, but the deal is now reported to contain no such caveat, putting Spurs in a strong position.

                   

3. Antonio Conte - 6/1

Conte is still officially in charge at Chelsea but is widely expected to exit the club in the near future. After his side's FA Cup success over Manchester United, the Italian said he would 'respect' his contract at the club, which runs for another season. Nonetheless, the rumour mill has long discussed him supposedly impending departure. Could the 16/17 Premier League title winner end up at the Bernabeu?

3. Guti - 7/1

The former Real Madrid star has been coaching the Real Madrid youth team for four seasons and has been linked with a move into senior management. In March, it was said that he could be offered the job at Leganes, who finished 17th in La Liga last season. Rumours also suggested he wished to step into first team coaching this summer - could he do that at his current club?

4. Maurizio Sarri - 10/1

The man who led Napoli last season has been tipped to succed Antonio Conte at Chelsea and, if he's moving anywhere, there's an intersting complication in his contract. He is reported to have an €8 million release clause BUT it expires today. The complications don't end there - Napoli have already announced that Carlo Ancelotti has signed a three-year deal to succeed Sarri but the club are holding firm on their release clause before they will set their (sort of) former manager go. Could Real Madrid sneak in?

The Outsiders

Here's where the fun starts. The highest odds Skybet are offering is Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola at 66/1, the same odds as Claudio Ranieri. Newcastle's Rafael Benitez is available at 50s with Jose Mourinho at 33/1 at Jurgen Klopp at 20/1.

The only question is - where is Michael O'Neill?