MADRID — Real Madrid is searching for a permanent manager this spring, with interim coach Alvaro Arbeloa listed as the bookmakers' favorite to take the job on a full-time basis. Arbeloa, 43, replaced Xabi Alonso as coach in January, approximately one year after the club dismissed Carlo Ancelotti from the managerial post.

Under Arbeloa, Real Madrid lost five of 19 games during his tenure as coach. The club was eliminated from the Copa del Rey in the round of 16 by second-tier Albacete and trails LaLiga leaders Barcelona by nine points.

Former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp is the bookmakers' second favorite for the position. Klopp currently works as head of global soccer for the Red Bull Group and dismissed reports linking him to the club last month. He had previously downplayed the appeal of working for Real Madrid.

AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri and United States men's national soccer team coach Mauricio Pochettino are also among the leading candidates according to bookmakers. Allegri, 58, has won domestic titles with both AC Milan and Juventus; his most recent league title came with Juventus in 2019. He has never won a European trophy.

Pochettino has coached the U.S. men's national team for almost two years, during which time the team lost nine of 24 games. His only domestic title as a coach is the 2021-22 Ligue 1 championship with Paris Saint-Germain.

Several other names have been linked with the Real Madrid managerial position. Benfica manager Jose Mourinho, Germany national team coach Julian Nagelsmann, AFC Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola, Aston Villa manager Unai Emery, and the currently unemployed Enzo Maresca have all been connected to the role.