Real Madrid News
Real Madrid legend the ‘number one’ candidate to replace Ancelotti in 2024
Journalist Christian Falk has reported via Caught Offside that former Real Madrid midfielder and club legend Xabi Alonso is seen as the ‘number one’ candidate to replace Carlo Ancelotti when the Italian leaves the team next summer.
It has been unofficially confirmed that Ancelotti will become the new head coach of Brazil national football team from June 2024.
This has forced Real Madrid to look for replacements and while former Bayern Munich manager Julian Nagelsmann happens to be on the list, Alonso’s name is said to be topping the chart.
In this context, Falk has said that there was a floating idea for Alonso to become Madrid’s manager this summer, but he has committed to Bayer Leverkusen that he would not leave the team this year.
On a personal level, Alonso feels that he has a lot to learn before he can take up the Real Madrid job.
“We believe Xabi Alonso is the number one option to replace Carlo Ancelotti in 2024,” wrote the journalist in his column for Caught Offside.
“There were also ideas this summer but he’s very clear in this position. He told Leverkusen he won’t leave this summer because he knows that he’s still new and he won’t put the club in this situation.
“But in 2024, there would be no excuse if Real Madrid is asking for him. Of course, he’s interested and Leverkusen knows that there will be the possibility of Real Madrid coming in for him. I think at the moment he is one of the biggest solutions and has the best chance to get this job,” explained Falk.
Alonso started his managerial journey in June 2019 with Real Sociedad B. In October 2022, Leverkusen came calling and such was Alonso’s influence that he guided the Germans from second bottom to the sixth-placed finish.
Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur were said to be interested this summer, but Alonso committed to Leverkusen for one more season, making it perfect for Madrid to pounce on him next year when Ancelotti leaves.
There have been talks of a possible return for Zinedine Zidane as a replacement for Ancelotti, while promoting Raul Gonzalez from the Castilla outfit is also being discussed.
But as things stand, it appears that Alonso is the No. 1 candidate to take over the reins when Ancelotti moves on in 2024.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid very happy with future star Endrick, eagerly awaiting his arrival in 2024 – Romano
Real Madrid’s attacking unit has been crippled by the loss of Karim Benzema earlier in the summer, which was followed by the loss of Vinicius Jr due to injury.
Although Vinicius has returned, there is much left to be desired from the Madrid frontline as we progress through to the season.
Real Madrid, though, are waiting on the arrival of Endrick. The young Brazilian is set to join the Real Madrid squad in the summer of 2024 when he turns 18.
Real Madrid impressed by Endrick
Endrick has already started his preparation for his pending move to Santiago Bernabeu, having performed exceptionally well in his native Brazil this year.
The youngster is constantly working on his game, in order to further improve himself as an attacker. It has left Real Madrid quite happy and eager for his arrival, reports Fabrizio Romano.
The journalist claims that Real Madrid have been keeping close tabs on everything Endrick has been doing, on and off the pitch, at Palmeiras.
And they have received very good reports on the 17-year-old, with the club impressed by how he is putting efforts to improve himself both performance-wise and in other facets.
Despite there being some question marks over his performances, the teenage forward is starting to showcase his potential, having scored five goals in five starts for Palmeiras.
Endrick also learning new languages
Endrick is not only just working on his performance. In fact, the Brazilian is also learning other languages in order to quickly settle into life in Spain.
The youngster can speak Portuguese, but he may have to master Spanish during his time at Santiago Bernabeu.
As mentioned earlier, Endrick can already speak Portuguese, which should go a long way in helping him team up with fellow Brazilians Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo.
Even Eder Militao can speak Portuguese, which should make it easier for Endrick to adapt to life in Spain, at least for the next year or so.
