There has been a lot of speculation over the Real Madrid managerial position, with former player Xabi Alonso now strongly linked with a summer move back to the Santiago Bernabeu.
Carlo Ancelotti has come in for criticism over the last year, and now looks set to depart for the Brazil job at the end of the season.
This would free up the manager’s job for a fresh face, and Alonso has been linked after a fine start to his coaching career at Bayer Leverkusen.
Raul Gonzalez is also the manager of the Castilla side, and nearly took the vacant post at Villarreal a few weeks ago.
Ancelotti has now spoken out about the links between Real Madrid and the two former stars, claiming that he would love to see Alonso in the hot seat.
“I had him (Alonso) as a player. He has a high-level knowledge of football, he is doing very well with Bayer Leverkusen,” Ancelotti stated of the former midfielder.
“I wish him to be here one day, like Raúl or Arbeloa. They are people I know and I love them very much. I hope one day they can be Real Madrid coaches.”
Alonso to take the big job?
Alonso has so far helped develop an attacking style of play at Bayer Leverkusen, which has now seen them storm the Bundesliga and Europa League, and he could be the perfect coach for Real Madrid post-Ancelotti.
Ancelotti has gained criticism for his tactics, and Sunday’s derby defeat to Atletico Madrid has not helped his case. A fresh approach with a more hands-on manager in Alonso could spell a new era at Real Madrid, and Alonso may also be the young figure needed to help get the best out of the club’s up and coming talent.
Real Madrid have a young squad, and the superstar midfield of Jude Bellingham, Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni and Fede Valverde could all benefit from being coached by Alonso, who was a world-class midfielder himself.
Leverkusen star Jeremie Frimpong has described Alonso as a “great” coach, and although it is early days, he does look destined to become Los Blancos manager some day.