Real Madrid News
Real Madrid legend a serious candidate to replace Ancelotti at the end of the season
Real Madrid legend Raul Gonzalez has emerged as a serious candidate to replace Carlo Ancelotti as the manager of the Spanish giants, should the Italian be sacked at the end of the season, reports AS.
Real Madrid’s disappointing performance in La Liga this season, where they are currently nine points behind league leaders Barcelona, has put Ancelotti’s job under threat.
The first-leg defeat to Barcelona in the Copa del Rey semifinals has only added to the pressure on the Italian tactician.
There is a growing sense of feeling that Ancelotti will be sacked if Real Madrid fail to win any major silverware this season.
In addition, Ancelotti has also been linked with a move to the Brazilian national team, who are searching for someone to take over the reins after Tite stepped down. Given the situation, possible replacements are seemingly being lined up by Real Madrid.
And Raul’s success with Castilla has put him in the frame for the top job at the Santiago Bernabeu. The former Spanish international has been in charge of the subsidiary squad since 2019 and has shown great ability in developing young talent, some of whom have gone on to play for the senior team.
Raul is a Real Madrid legend, having won six La Liga titles and three UEFA Champions League trophies during his time as a player. He has also been mentored by some of the best managers in the world, including Carlo Ancelotti himself during his time at Real Madrid.
If Raul is appointed as the manager of Real Madrid, it would be a bold move by the club. However, given his success with Real Madrid Castilla and his intimate knowledge of the club, Raul could prove to be the right man to lead the Spanish giants back to glory.
However, Real Madrid have no shortage of alternatives, with Thomas Tuchel notably keeping tabs on this developing situation at the Santiago Bernabeu. Club president Florentino Perez will take the last call on this issue.
In a positive update, Real Madrid defender David Alaba is set to return from his injury by making an appearance for the Austrian national team against Estonia later tonight, confirms Sergio Quirante.
Alaba has been out of action for over a month now, after picking up an injury during Real Madrid’s UEFA Champions League Round of 16 first-leg tie against Liverpool at Anfield.
The Austrian international had been making progress in training at the club but was not ready in time for the Clasico against Barcelona on March 19.
Despite the injury, Alaba travelled to join the Austrian national team during the current international break.
And, according to the report from Sergio Quirante, the Real Madrid ace has good feelings after training with his national team. Having had several sessions under his belt now, the versatile defender is all set to make his return later tonight.
Austria will face off against Estonia in their second UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifiers Group F encounter later tonight and Alaba is in line to get some minutes against the minnows.
What remains to be seen is whether manager Ralf Rangnick opts to start the former Bayern Munich superstar on the night or introduces him as a substitute in the latter stages of the game.
Alaba’s imminent return will be good news for Real Madrid, who have a series of important matches coming up after the international break as they look to salvage their season.
Following the loss to Barcelona earlier this month, Carlo Ancelotti’s men are now 12 points off the top of the table in La Liga and are pretty much out of the equation to retain the title. They are also training the Catalans 1-0 in the Copa del Rey semi-finals while Chelsea await in the Champions League quarter-finals.
