Real Madrid make Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino No 1 target to replace Zinedine Zidane

• Zinedine Zidane is facing his first crisis since taking over a year-and-a-half ago
• Real Madrid are eight points behind Barcelona in La Liga and lost to Tottenham
• Mauricio Pochettino is seen as the long-term solution by Florentino Perez 

Mauricio Pochettino has emerged as Real Madrid's No 1 target to replace Zinedine Zidane if the French coach fails to last beyond the end of the season.

Madrid also have Harry Kane and Dele Alli on a list of possible summer signings as they look to renew a squad that has become stale after three summers without a 'galactico' acquisition.

As the after-effects of Tottenham's 3-1 win over Real Madrid reverberate throughout the continent, Zidane faces his first crisis since he took over a year and a half ago and Pochettino is seen as the long-term solution.

Zidane's Madrid are eight points off the pace in Spain and set to finish second to Spurs in the Champions League group stage.

Real president Florentino Perez has an excellent relationship with Pochettino, referring to him as 'My Poch' when the two teams met in Madrid two weeks ago.

'I have a lot of respect for Florentino,' Pochettino told Radio Marca. 'I'm pleased if he feels the same way. He is always friendly towards me.'

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