Arsene Wenger is on a two-man shortlist to replace Jose Mourinho as Real Madrid manager.
Germany head coach Joachim Low is the other candidate being considered with Mourinho's relationship with the players and club hierarchy deemed beyond repair.
The Portuguese, 48, said on Tuesday: 'I don't know if I'll be at Real Madrid next season.'
Wenger turned down a move to Madrid in 2009 but the La Liga leaders feel they have a better chance of persuading him to leave north London this time due his struggles at Arsenal.
The Gunners have lost their last three Premier League matches and are five points adrift of fourth-placed Chelsea, meaning missing out on Champions League qualification - something Wenger has called 'a disaster' - is a strong possibility.
Doubts are also hanging over the future of his star player Robin van Persie, with Manchester City keen to sign the Holland striker.
Real president Florentino Perez hopes the lure of Champions League football, plenty of money to spend and the challenge of taking on Barcelona could persuade the Frenchman to leave the Emirates.
Mourinho’s stay in Spain looks over heading into Wednesday's Copa Del Rey semi-final second leg against the European champions, a tie they trail 2-1.
Despite sitting five points clear of Pep Guardiola’s team at the top of the league, the former Chelsea manager is under increasing pressure, with rumours of a dressing room rift between him and the club’s Spanish players emerging.
He was booed during Sunday's 4-1 win over Athletic Bilbao after news of a furious row with defender and vice-captain Sergio Ramos was leaked to the Spanish press, while there are reports of another argument with captain Iker Casillas.
Mourinho initially claimed the boos did not bother him.
'I'm not bothered by the whistles at me,' he said. 'It's not a problem. It's the first time it's ever happened to me. There's a first time for practically everything.
'(Zinedine) Zidane was whistled at here. Ronaldo has been whistled at here. Cristiano (Ronaldo), who is the latest Golden Boot winner, has also been whistled at. Why can't I?
'Zidane responded with his football, the same as Ronaldo and Cristiano. I work hard to be able to respond like they did some day, but there may come a day when the fans are sad.'
Meanwhile, Wenger's decision to give Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain his full Barclays Premier League debut in the 2-1 loss to Manchester United on Sunday was backed by England boss Fabio Capello who has sent a message of encouragement to the winger after watching his display.
The Italian was so dazzled he passed on his congratulations and challenged the 18-year-old to keep his place in the side.
Capello will track him leading up to next month’s friendly against Holland.
By ALEX KAY
Germany head coach Joachim Low is the other candidate being considered with Mourinho's relationship with the players and club hierarchy deemed beyond repair.
The Portuguese, 48, said on Tuesday: 'I don't know if I'll be at Real Madrid next season.'
Wenger turned down a move to Madrid in 2009 but the La Liga leaders feel they have a better chance of persuading him to leave north London this time due his struggles at Arsenal.
The Gunners have lost their last three Premier League matches and are five points adrift of fourth-placed Chelsea, meaning missing out on Champions League qualification - something Wenger has called 'a disaster' - is a strong possibility.
Doubts are also hanging over the future of his star player Robin van Persie, with Manchester City keen to sign the Holland striker.
Real president Florentino Perez hopes the lure of Champions League football, plenty of money to spend and the challenge of taking on Barcelona could persuade the Frenchman to leave the Emirates.
Mourinho’s stay in Spain looks over heading into Wednesday's Copa Del Rey semi-final second leg against the European champions, a tie they trail 2-1.
Despite sitting five points clear of Pep Guardiola’s team at the top of the league, the former Chelsea manager is under increasing pressure, with rumours of a dressing room rift between him and the club’s Spanish players emerging.
He was booed during Sunday's 4-1 win over Athletic Bilbao after news of a furious row with defender and vice-captain Sergio Ramos was leaked to the Spanish press, while there are reports of another argument with captain Iker Casillas.
Mourinho initially claimed the boos did not bother him.
'I'm not bothered by the whistles at me,' he said. 'It's not a problem. It's the first time it's ever happened to me. There's a first time for practically everything.
'(Zinedine) Zidane was whistled at here. Ronaldo has been whistled at here. Cristiano (Ronaldo), who is the latest Golden Boot winner, has also been whistled at. Why can't I?
'Zidane responded with his football, the same as Ronaldo and Cristiano. I work hard to be able to respond like they did some day, but there may come a day when the fans are sad.'
Meanwhile, Wenger's decision to give Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain his full Barclays Premier League debut in the 2-1 loss to Manchester United on Sunday was backed by England boss Fabio Capello who has sent a message of encouragement to the winger after watching his display.
The Italian was so dazzled he passed on his congratulations and challenged the 18-year-old to keep his place in the side.
Capello will track him leading up to next month’s friendly against Holland.
By ALEX KAY
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