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That is the prediction of ESPN FC pundit Steve Nicol.
Los Blancos officially announced that Solari would remain in charge after a period as interim boss with the Argentine handed a contract until 2021.
The 42-year-old won all four of the matches he oversaw as temporary first-team boss following the sacking of Julen Lopetegui last month.
That is the best start of any manager in the club’s illustrious history having downed Melilla, Viktoria Plzen, Real Valladolid and Celta Vigo while scoring 15 goals and conceding just two – a far cry to their form under predecessor Lopetegui.
Real Madrid still face a battle to contest for top honours this season with the void left by Cristiano Ronaldo – who scored 450 goals in just nine years at the Bernabeu – still evident after he joined Juventus in the summer.
But with Real’s El Clasico rivals Barcelona also stuttering – having lost 4-3 despite the return of Lionel Messi at home to Real Betis at the weekend – there is still a chance to enjoy a successful season.
And former Liverpool defender Nicol thinks the three-time defending European champions must do well domestically and in the Champions League for Solari to stay on.
But he does not expect to see the former Real Madrid Castilla tactician still as head coach by 2019-20 – which could be bad news for Tottenham with Mauricio Pochettino having long been mentioned as a possible managerial target.
It had been suggested before Solari’s permanent appointment that Real could put the former midfielder in place in the hotseat before displacing him in the summer and going all-out for Pochettino.
“How can you even chip a little piece out of three Champions League victories on the trot? That is not happening,” Nicol declared when asked if Solari could do as Zinedine Zidane did after the Frenchman won three European titles in three seasons having initially been an interim coach.
“Santi has to push Barcelona all the way in the league and have a decent run in the Champions League to have any chance.
“I think the chances are slim. He’s in exactly the same position that Zidane was in.
“Zidane was put in charge, in my opinion, until they could figure out who they actually wanted.
“Now Zidane turned round and won three Champions League titles. Is Santi going to do that? I don’t think so.
“Unless something incredible happens then Santi will be gone at the end of the year.
“I would suggest his contract, which is until 2021, that he look at the fine print.”
Sixth-placed Real face Eibar (November 24, 3pm) after the international break as they look to move up the La Liga table.
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