Eriksson is unlikely to be short of offers after the World Cup

In an interview with Spanish TV station Antena 3, Martin discussed Chelsea's Jose Mourinho, Liverpool's Rafael Benitez and Arsene Wenger of Arsenal.

Italians Carlo Ancelotti, Fabio Capello and Marcello Lippi complete the list.

"It is going to come from one of seven coaches," said Martin. "We are clear about what type of coach we want."

Martin refused to rank the candidates in order of preference, adding: "No other thing can be said because I believe I have to be prudent.

"What I can say is that we have to try to build a team possible of the best for next year and a basic element of a better team is the coach."

Real's current coach, Juan Ramon Lopez Caro, has been given a contract to the summer.

Eriksson finishes as England boss after this summer's World Cup finals in Germany and has been granted permission by the Football Association to seek a new job.

REAL'S REVOLVING DOOR Vincent del Bosque (1999-2003) 3 years, 7 months - 2 Spanish league titles, 2 European Cups, 1 European Super Cup, 1 World Club Championship Real ditch Del Bosque Carlos Queiroz (2003-2004) 1 year Real sack Queiroz Jose Antonio Camacho (2004) 3 months Camacho quits Real Mariano Garcia Remon (2004) 3 months Remon replaced at Real Wanderley Luxemburgo (2004-2005) 11 months Real sack Luxemburgo Juan Ramon Lopez Caro (2005- )

The Spanish giants failed to make the quarter-finals of this season's Champions League after being knocked out by Arsenal.

They trail Barcelona by 11 points in La Liga, although they face their rivals this weekend.

Lopez Caro is the sixth coach to take charge of Real within the last three years.

Since the successful reign of Vincent del Bosque ended in 2003, Carlos Queiroz, Jose Antonio Camacho, Mariano Garcia Remon and Wanderley Luxemburgo have all failed to lift a major trophy.

Former Brazil coach Luxemburgo was sacked in December after less than a year in charge.

Martin took over as president in February when Florentino Perez resigned, citing the attitude of his expensively-assembled squad of stars - nicknamed the galacticos - as the main reason.

He has vowed to remain in charge, bring a change in the club's fortunes and win the presidential elections in 2008.

Martin has said he would like Lopez Caro - who was promoted from Madrid's reserve side - to remain at the club under the new coach to gain experience.