Real Madrid News
Real Madrid icon addresses rumours of him replacing Ancelotti: “Everything in its own time”
Real Madrid have kickstarted their preparations for the season ahead with Carlo Ancelotti continuing to lead the team, despite there being some doubts about his future in the past.
Ancelotti has also shown the desire to continue at the Bernabeu beyond 2024 when his contract expires.
But that has not deterred Real Madrid from seeking out potential replacement candidates.
Xabi Alonso eyed as Ancelotti’s replacement
One of the potential candidates Real Madrid are looking at, to replace Ancelotti, is former midfielder and club legend Xabi Alonso.
The former Spanish international has impressed the club administration with his work at Bayer Leverkusen and is seen as the favourite to take over from Ancelotti next year.
Alonso is well aware of the Real Madrid environment, having played for Los Blancos between 2009 to 2014. During his time at the Bernabeu, he featured in almost 250 competitive matches for the club.
After hanging up his boots, Xabi Alonso has found immense success coaching Bayer Leverkusen, after stints with Real Madrid’s youth sides and Real Sociedad ‘B’ team.
The Spaniard led Die Werkself to sixth place in the Bundesliga last season while also guiding them to the semi-final of the UEFA Europa League.
Alonso comments on Real Madrid links
However, in a recent interview, Alonso remained coy about his future, expressing his happiness at Bayer Leverkusen.
“Real Madrid? Everything in its own time. Now I’m here, I’m very happy and whatever comes in the future, we’ll see,” he said (h/t MARCA).
“Normally in football when you think in the medium to long term you lose focus of what is closest to you and right now I only think about what we have here.”
It is guaranteed that Alonso will continue to lead the Leverkusen side in the coming season.
And, it will be interesting to see whether or not Real Madrid do end up approaching the Spanish tactician come the end of next season, given as the club is open to sticking with Ancelotti beyond 2024.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid superstar expected to start vs Villarreal after returning to Spain to continue recovery
Kylian Mbappe is already back in Madrid. The Real Madrid forward landed at Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport this morning accompanied by his partner, Ester Exposito, at 11:16am, according to AS.
Real Madrid were training at Valdebebas from 10:30 am, so it is clear that the Frenchman did not take part in that session.
However, he is expected at Valdebebas later today to continue his recovery and reconditioning after the knee problem he suffered, which will not prevent him from playing against Villarreal, the report further states.
What happened to Mbappe?
Mbappe suffered significant pain in his left knee during the first of France’s four matches during this international break. It was Zinedine Zidane’s debut as national team manager and the Real Madrid attacker scored the only goal of the match.
🚨 MBAPPÉ YA ESTÁ en MADRID🚨 ✈️El francés ha aterrizado a las 11:16h en la capital. 👉 El Real Madrid entrenaba hoy a las 10:30h. 📹 @marcosbenito9 https://t.co/R04FwEwHcB
— El Chiringuito TV (@elchiringuitotv) October 5, 2026
As he struck the ball, he felt the discomfort and requested for a substitution. At Real Madrid, they believe that had he continued, the problem could have required surgery.
The striker travelled to Spain to undergo tests, and the medical examination determined that he had “hyperextension of the posterior capsule of the left knee”.
As this was the same knee in which Mbappe suffered a serious sprain last season, there was concern at Valdebebas. However, the problem has proved to be minor and Mourinho is counting on Mbappe for the match against Villarreal on 10 October.
Active rest and recovery
After the tests, Mbappe was given permission to spend a few days on active rest under the supervision of Real Madrid’s medical staff.
He spent just under a week away from Madrid as part of a recovery plan in which coordination between the player, coaching staff and doctors was complete.
The France captain is now expected at Valdebebas to gradually readjust to the rhythm of the rest of the squad as the internationals return to training, with Saturday’s match in mind, where he is expected to start.
This comes as good news for Jose Mourinho, who needs the Frenchman, who has scored eight goals this term, at his best to get Real Madrid’s season back on track.
After all, Real Madrid are six points behind Barcelona in La Liga and are approaching a crucial period of the season.
Pat Grey
July 26, 2023 at 6:32 pm
Ancillioti should give way to a younger and more dynamic coach. He has done what he could. Soccer tactics are changing everyday, and you need a coach who is not forever set in his own mind. Real Madrid with increasingly younger talents need a coach who knows how to inspire and get the best out of these young players if the team will have to prevail over its tough competitors in Spain and in Europe at large.