Real Madrid News
Real Madrid considering Champions League-winning coach to replace Ancelotti
Carlo Ancelotti’s future at Real Madrid has come under doubt after a string of underwhelming results in 2023. The Spanish outfit are still alive in three competitions, but are not favourites for any of them.
The last two losses against Barcelona did not go down well with the Madrid management, either. That coupled with the fact that they are now 12 points adrift of the Catalans has stirred some doubts.
As such, Madrid have started outlining possible replacements for the Italian coach.
Some of the options on their table so far are the likes of Eintracht Frankfurt’s Oliver Glasner, Bayer Leverkusen’s Xabi Alonso, Real Madrid Castilla’s Raul and Thomas Tuchel.
Tuchel is naturally the most convincing out of the three, with a spectacular record in European football. The German coach reached two consecutive Champions League finals – with PSG and Chelsea -, winning in his second attempt while beating Manchester City.
There were talks surrounding that Tuchel would not work out for Real Madrid, but ABC (h/t Madrid Xtra) have dusted those, suggesting that Los Blancos are looking for a ‘winner’, and the former Borussia Dortmund has proven to be one.
The report also suggests that Florentino Perez is a big fan of Xabi Alonso, while club CEO Jose Angel Sanchez, prefers Raul as the next Madrid manager.
Apart from winning the UCL with Chelsea, he has also lifted the DFB Pokal with Dortmund in 2017, two league titles with PSG, and the UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup with Chelsea.
Further, there have been reports in the past suggesting that Tuchel is now ready to return to coaching and is favouring a move to either Barcelona or Real Madrid as his next destination.
It would be fair to rule out Barcelona, though, with Xavi leading the project. Joan Laporta has already publicly spoken about renewing the Spaniard.
Madrid have a fair few holes to plug in their squad ahead of next season, but all of it will depend on their managerial position, and if they choose to get a new man for the role.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid eye €3.5 million-rated relegated Premier League striker to reinforce attack
Following a difficult season with troubles in La Liga and the Champions League preventing Real Madrid from retaining their crowns, Los Blancos move towards a transformative summer, full of innovations.
Real Madrid managed to clear plenty of unwanted figures at the club, with a huge relief on the wage bill. However, with an array of exits, the squad has contracted and thus replacements are being inquired.
Apart from the high-profile departure of Karim Benzema, fringe players have also bid their farewell.
Among those names is Mariano Diaz, who was Madrid’s backup striker prior to his withdrawal. Several names have been put on the table to fill his absence as the club largely aim to address their lack of depth.
According to Arancha Rodriguez (via RM4Arab), Leeds United striker Rodrigo Moreno is one of the names gaining consensus in the Madrid hierarchy. Moreover, Joselu has also been considered as a viable alternative.
The two favourites to replace Mariano have proven to be important figures for their clubs as both strikers maintain a starting role.
Playing for Espanyol, Joselu ended the La Liga campaign as the third top scorer, only behind Benzema and Lewandowski. Considering Espanyol’s relegation, such a feat looks even more impressive. The Spaniard secured 19 goals in all competitions.
On the other hand, Rodrigo Moreno recorded 16 goals last season across all competitions. Similar to Joselu’s case, the Spanish international also suffered relegation with Leeds, in spite of his good numbers.
With both players offering adequate output in struggling sides, Real Madrid’s interest is practical. Moreover, considering both Espanyol and Leeds were relegated, their asking price will undeniably lower, which enables the Merengues to sign one of the two targets at a more convenient rate.
It is claimed that Rodrigo has a release clause worth €3.5 million which Los Blancos would have to trigger to sign him from Leeds United.
It now remains to be seen whether Carlo Ancelotti & co. go after the former Valencia man or move for Joselu instead.
