India, Dec. 9 -- The conversation around Real Madrid's bench has shifted from "how do they fix this?" to "who comes next if they don't?". What began as a long-term project now feels precarious enough that succession planning is no longer a forbidden topic around the Bernabeu.

The rumour mill has effectively thrown up three archetypes: a promotion from within, a return to a proven era, and a radical change of footballing identity. Each candidate sits at a different point on the risk-reward spectrum, and each says something about how Florentino Perez wants to navigate the next cycle.

The current Castilla coach is the most frequently mentioned name and widely seen as the realistic option if a mid-season decision has to be made.

Continuity...