Real Madrid Go 'All Out' for Mauricio Pochettino; Jogi Low Reportedly Contacted

Real Madrid have reportedly launched an "all-out onslaught" to hire Mauricio Pochettino as Zinedine Zidane's replacement, while Germany boss Joachim Low has also been contacted. 

According to Jack Pitt-Brooke and Miguel Delaney of The Independent, Tottenham Hotspur manager Pochettino is Real president Florentino Perez's No. 1 choice to be the new Los Blancos boss, and he "is not thought to be considering any other choices."

However, per Jose Felix Diaz of Marca, inquiries have also been made about whether Low would be open to leaving the Germany role four years before his contract expires.

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Contrary to some reports, Pochettino does not have a clause in his new Tottenham deal that would allow him to leave for Real, but chairman Daniel Levy would allow the Argentinian to talk to Los Blancos should he wish, Diaz added.

Pochettino, 46, only signed a new contract with Spurs to 2023 last week, so Real would have to pay a big premium if they want to appoint him.

Per SpursinBarcelona (via MailOnline's Jaime Wright), when asked about the vacant Real position on Friday Pochettino said: "I am very happy at Tottenham."

However, he then added, per AS (via Wright): "I live in the present, there is nothing more important than that. I enjoy what is happening and what has to be will be. Jorge Griffa once told me that I must let football take me, that I do not want to change my destiny."

Pochettino further explained that Real are a difficult club to ignore and praised the job Zidane did at the club, per El Confidencial (via Sid Lowe in the Guardian):

"When Real Madrid call you, you have to listen to them. Although in this case it doesn’t depend on me. I have just signed a long contract with Tottenham and I am very happy here. I am happy at Tottenham because they let me work and we are growing together. Right now I want to focus on planning for next season and keep out of all the things that are being said. There will be lots of rumours, lots of things said, but I have no news from Real Madrid.

"I’m working very comfortably at Tottenham and it’s my obligation to focus on that. I do not want, nor can I, comment on Zidane going but what he has done is undoubtedly very big: no one has won three Champions Leagues in a row recently."

The former Espanyol and Southampton boss has done an excellent job with Spurs since taking over in 2014, leading them to three consecutive top-three finishes in the Premier League, although he has yet to win any silverware.

It would be a huge step up to take over at Real Madrid, though, not least given they have won the past three UEFA Champions League tournaments under Zidane.

The Frenchman's surprise departure from Real on Thursday after two-and-a-half years in the job has prompted widespread speculation about who will be in charge at the Santiago Bernabeu next term.

Pochettino seems to be the front-runner, but Spurs will be loath to part with him, while Low could theoretically be available following the summer's FIFA World Cup.

He has been in charge of Germany since 2006 and led them to World Cup glory four years ago.

Should his team triumph again in Russia, Low could emulate Zidane by leaving on a high.

He has the pedigree given the impressive job he has done with Die Mannschaft, but it would be a huge challenge for the 58-year-old to return to club management having spent 14 years in the international setup.