Real Madrid News
Real Madrid following progress of former club legend pitched to be Ancelotti’s successor
With the kind of start Real Madrid have had to the season, it is unusual for the rumor mill to be stirring news about a potential managerial departure.
However, Real Madrid’s succession plan for Carlo Ancelotti has been taking shape for quite some time now due to the coach’s reported pre-agreement to join the Brazilian national team next summer.
As such, Xabi Alonso has been frequently pitched as a viable successor for Ancelotti, who continues to be one of the most promising young managers in world football, fabled for his exceptional work with Bayer Leverkusen.
Real Madrid are following his strides closely
Indeed, Fabrizio Romano (h/t Madrid Xtra) has claimed that Real Madrid greatly appreciates Xabi Alonso. They are following his progress, and the situation is something to keep an eye on.
As per previous reports, Alonso has created a pact with Leverkusen to leave the club if he receives an offer from one of his former clubs, i.e., Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, or Liverpool.
With talk of Ancelotti’s potential departure rife, club legend Xabi Alonso has been classified as one of the options to take over next season.
Alonso was recognized as a natural winner throughout his time with Los Blancos. His winning mentality has clearly been instilled within the Leverkusen squad, as testified by their first-place position in the Bundesliga, despite the seemingly limited resources in comparison to heavyweights like Bayern Munich.
Real Madrid are keenly observing the rapid strides Alonso is making, with the possibility of taking over Ancelotti certainly on the cards.
Ancelotti has previously praised Alonso’s work publicly, claiming, “I have had Xabi Alonso as a player and I think he has a great knowledge of football and is doing very well.”
Time will tell how Madrid’s coaching situation develops, but for now, the Merengues are anxiously watching their former midfielder ply his trade as a manager in Germany.
Real Madrid are back in the Champions League following their impressive win against Cadiz on the weekend as they host Napoli at the Santiago Bernabeu for gameweek five.
They have already secured qualification to the round of 16, and even a point today would secure first place in the group.
With several players still injured, Carlo Ancelotti has opted for his best available starting lineup, with Daniel Carvajal taking responsibility of the captain’s armband at right-back. He will be aided by Ferland Mendy, who starts on the other side.
Meanwhile, in between them, David Alaba returns to the fold as the starting centre-back, partnering Antonio Rudiger. This duo has the responsibility of screening Andriy Lunin, who continues in goal in Kepa and Thibaut Courtois’ absence.
With both Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni out, Toni Kroos gets the chance to play as the holding midfielder for two games in a row. Federico Valverde retains his spot, as well, while Dani Ceballos comes in for the injured Luka Modric in central midfield.
Rodrygo will spearhead the team’s frontline as one of the two twin forwards, while Brahim Diaz gets the nod over Joselu. Jude Bellingham is the final, and arguably the most important piece of the puzzle, playing behind the front-two.
📋✅ Our starting 𝗫𝗜!
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) November 29, 2023
🆚 @en_sscnapoli #UCL pic.twitter.com/MarLb7TavA
Confirmed Madrid XI: Lunin; Carvajal, Rudiger, Alaba, Mendy; Valverde, Kroos, Ceballos; Bellingham; Diaz, Rodrygo
Mandla
November 5, 2023 at 7:59 pm
A great legend. Alonso has done well.