Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is said to have found his perfect replacement for current manager Carlo Ancelotti.
Ancelotti’s time at the Santiago Bernabeu appears to be coming to an end, owing to a disappointing LaLiga title defense this season.
The team’s recent 2-1 setback at the hands of arch-rivals FC Barcelona in the ElClasico last weekend has added to the pressure on the Italian coach, as the Blaugrana currently lead the league by a comfortable 12-point margin.
Despite his domestic problems, Ancelotti remains a sought man, with certain Brazilian national team players publicly backing him to take over as manager of the South American powerhouse after Tite’s exit after the 2022 FIFA World Cup in December.
As per journalist Fabrizio Romano, the Madrid team is assessing potential managers ahead of 2023/24, with names like Thomas Tuchel, Mauricio Pochettino, and club hero Raul being mentioned.
Contrary to the aforementioned alternatives, Spanish outlet SPORT reports Perez has made Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso, who played for the club between 2009 and 2014, his preferred pick.
Following a three-year tenure with Real Sociedad’s B squad, the 41-year-old was recruited by the German club in October 2022 and has gone on to impress in the Bundesliga, winning 10 and drawing two of his 17 league matches in charge.
While he is unfamiliar with managing in Spain’s top division, the tactician worked in Real Madrid’s youth academy between 2018 and 2019.
Vicente del Bosque and Zinedine Zidane are two prominent examples of this shift, and Los Blancos are therefore fairly accustomed to hiring managers who previously oversaw their youth.
