Real Madrid News
Real Madrid assistant manager to leave in the summer, club icon eyed as replacement
As reported by AS, Davide Ancelotti has announced that he will leave Real Madrid in June to embark on his first managerial adventure. The Italian is currently working at Real Madrid as a deputy to his father, Carlo Ancelotti.
Los Blancos see Alvaro Arbeloa, the current manager of Juvenil A, as the possible candidate to become the assistant manager to Ancelotti for next season, but that will depend on the Italian’s future which in itself is uncertain.
Ancelotti has publicly declared his desire to fulfil his contract until 2024 at Real Madrid. Yet, he has not received any message from the club yet that guarantees his role for next season.
“I’m still here until Real Madrid allow me to stay here. I’m very well and I feel the affection of the president, the fans and the players. We have two months ahead of us and then hopefully we can continue,” he told the media ahead of Real Madrid’s weekend clash.
Given his son’s decision to depart the Merengues imminently, Carlo is said to be considering his future at the club as well. He is under pressure to deliver big results and has the knife held against his throat.
Considering Real Madrid’s daily links with names like Mauricio Pochettino, it is safe to say that he could join his son on the way out in June.
Various outlets have come out to state that Ancelotti’s position for next season hinges on the team’s performances at the tail end of the season. The situation in La Liga may be difficult to overturn, but the management see the need for a trophy on other fronts as non-negotiable.
Ancelotti’s men returned to club football with a big win over Real Valladolid last night and face three potential finals this month. The first will be played midweek against Barcelona in the cup after which the men in white will face Chelsea over two legs in the UCL quarterfinals.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid eye €40 millon-rated goalkeeper as potential Thibaut Courtois replacement
Real Madrid boast one of the best goalkeepers in world football in the form of Thibaut Courtois.
However, the Belgian is already 34 and his current contract at the club expires at the end of the season.
Although Real Madrid are keen on extending his contract, they are preparing for the possibility of life beyond the veteran goalkeeper as well.
Keeping that in mind, Real Madrid are already keeping tabs on the market and monitoring potential replacements, with Diogo Costa emerging as one of the options.
Real Madrid interested in Diogo Costa
As reported by Bernabeu Digital, Costa is among the goalkeepers Real Madrid are interested in, as they look for potential replacements for Courtois.
The Portuguese international is regarded highly and has been endorsed personally by the club’s new goalkeeping coach, Nuno Santos.
Jose Mourinho is also said to be playing a key role in driving the club’s interest in Costa, who currently plies his trade for FC Porto.
At age of just 26, Costa has established himself as the firm number one for the Portugal national team, having already won almost 50 caps.
€40 million for Costa?
Acquiring the services of Diogo Costa, though, won’t be a walk in the park for Real Madrid.
The Portuguese international is valued at around €40 million, which the club might see as steep.
But given the experience and the quality Costa offers, Real Madrid do indeed see him as the ideal candidate to replace Courtois, if necessary.
Given that he is also liked by Mourinho and Santos, there is no reason why Real Madrid will be against paying that premium for the goalkeeper, especially if Courtois ends up leaving the club.
Real Madrid, though, are also open to finding an in-house replacement for Courtois, with Javi Navarro, in particular, making a lot of waves in the lower divisions.
That being said, everything indicates Courtois will sign a new contract so there shouldn’t be any immediate need for a replacement.
