Real Madrid reportedly want Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp to oversee an exciting new era for the club as Santiago Solari's short-lived reign comes to a close.
Los Blancos are facing their worst season in a decade after crashing out of the Copa del Rey and Champions League in the space of a week, while also dropping 12 points off the pace in La Liga.
Tuesday's 4-1 loss to Ajax - Real's fourth home defeat on the spin - is expected to speed up the process of a new manager being brought in to replace Solari, who was only appointed in November.
According to The Independent, Klopp is Los Blancos' preferred target because of his work with Borussia Dortmund, where he won two Bundesliga titles, and more recently with Liverpool.
Jose Mourinho, Mauricio Pochettino, Massimiliano Allegri and club legend Raul are also believed to be in the running to succeed Solari ahead of next season.