Real Madrid News
Real Madrid keeping a close eye on Julian Nagelsmann – report
Last night, reports broke that Bayern Munich were set to sack Julian Nagelsmann after a subpar season in which the Bavarians are trailing Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga title race. An official announcement is expected to be made imminently, with Thomas Tuchel set to replace the German tactician.
Now, Alasdair Gold of Football.london is reporting that Real Madrid are keeping a close eye on the situation surrounding Nagelsmann.
Los Blancos could themselves be changing managers at the end of the season depending on how things go in the coming weeks.
Carlo Ancelotti still has one year left on his contract with the Merengues, but the Italian could be relieved of his duties in the summer if he does not win any major title this term.
With Real Madrid all but out of the La Liga title race and trailing Barcelona in the Copa del Rey semi-finals, things are not looking great for Ancelotti.
As for the UEFA Champions League, Chelsea await in the quarter-finals, and victory there would set up a date with either Manchester City or Bayern Munich in the semis – not the most favourable of draws.
Meanwhile, Ancelotti is also being linked heavily with the Brazil national team job. All these factors could result in a managerial change at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Thomas Tuchel was a candidate, but Bayern acted quickly so as to avoid a direct competition with Real Madrid. Other names like Mauricio Pochettino, Raul Gonzalez and Xabi Alonso have been mentioned as well.
A third stint for Zinedine Zidane also remains an option, but according to Alasdair Gold, Nagelsmann is also being watched by Real Madrid.
The German tactician had held talks to take over at the Santiago Bernabeu back in 2018, but it did not lead to anything.
“I had a good chat with Jose Angel Sanchez and we decided that it was not the right step at that time. We agreed that we could talk again in the future if Real Madrid needed a coach – and I was available,” Naglesmann had said back in 2020.
And now that he is set to depart Bayern Munich, the option is back on the table.
Speaking to the media, Brazil Football Confederations (CBF) president Ednaldo Rodrigues has claimed that the Selecao have not given up on their pursuit of Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti, despite the Italian stating that he will not leave the club.
Brazil have been without a manager since the World Cup in Qatar last year, following which Tite stepped down. The CBF have made Ancelotti their top target and have been pursuing his signing for months but to no avail.
The 63-year-old Italian tactician has, on more than one occasion, made it clear that he will be at Real Madrid next season, with his contract expiring in 2024.
However, CBF president Rodrigues is adamant that Ancelotti’s statements are due to him being cautious as he is under contract at Real Madrid and that the Selecao are not prepared to give up on their quest to appoint him as of yet.
“We made a plan, that ‘Plan A’ is the one you know, Ancelotti, and as they say in the ‘ring’ (boxing), I haven’t thrown in the towel yet,” Rodrigues said (h/t Mundo Deportivo).
“Because of contracts, people are cautious,” he added.
Ancelotti, for his part, has repeatedly stated that he does not intend to leave Real Madrid unless he is forced out of the club.
Despite missing out on the La Liga and the UEFA Champions League titles last season, the club continue to back the veteran Italian and are planning for next season with him in charge.
So, despite Rodrigues’ confidence and perseverance, it is extremely unlikely that Ancelotti will be leaving Real Madrid for Brazil this summer.
