Real Madrid News
Real Madrid monitoring former midfielder’s managerial tenure for the future – report
Former midfielder and current Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso is being monitored by Real Madrid as part of the candidacy for the future role of the team’s first team manager, reports Rodrigo Faez while writing for ESPN.
The 40-year-old was appointed Leverkusen’s manager on October 5 following the dismissal of Gerardo Seoane. The Eternal Bridesmaids, as Leverkusen are known for famously missing out on a potential treble in 2002, went on to win their first game under Alonso, beating Schalke 4-0 at home.
Before the Spaniard’s appointment, the team from German Bundesliga had tallied a mere five points from their first eight games of the league. They did lose their Champions League tie against Porto, but early signs under Alonso have been extremely positive.
As for Real Madrid, they are of the opinion that Alonso could be a perfect fit for the managerial role in the future.
That is mostly because, first, he has had the opportunity to play under some of the finest names in the sport, including Rafa Benitez, Jose Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola.
Second, he remains a familiar face in the city of Madrid, having spent five successful seasons with Real Madrid and is also loved by the fans to bit.
In 2018, while completing his UEFA-accredited coaching course, he also managed Real Madrid’s U-14 team before assuming the role with Real Sociedad B in 2019.
In only his second season, Sociedad B earned the promotion to the Segunda Division. Towards the end of the 2021-22 Segunda Division, however, the team was relegated back to Primera Division RFEF.
The current idea for Real Madrid is to observe his style of coaching and see how he develops as a manager, especially since the job at Leverkusen is his first assignment in top-flight football. If everything goes their way, he will indeed be considered in future.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid rising star suffered against Atletico due to veteran forward’s absence, says Simeone
Real Madrid’s 3-1 defeat to Atletico Madrid was not the first time were in trouble this season. In fact, the Merengues have gone behind early in almost every league game so far.
However, the difference on Sunday night was that they never really mounted a comeback. More importantly, Jude Bellingham did not come good, for the first time.
Simeone unravels the mystery
A jubilant Diego Simeone spoke to the media after his side downed Real Madrid by three goals to one and spoke about a plethora of topics.
Interestingly, he commented specifically on why Bellingham did not have an impact at Civitas Metropolitano, citing the absence of Joselu as a key factor.
“No, the spaces were reduced and I think that Joselu’s lack of presence left him with fewer chances to get there, when he takes advantage of Joselu’s aerial play. We controlled him better, he’s extraordinary,” he said, as quoted by AS.
He even called out the refereeing on the night and insisted that the Real Madrid star-boy should have seen red for his late tackle on Angel Correa, saying:
“It looked like a sending-off to me live, it was a hard leg up, with Angelito hitting the ball.”
Ironically, he defended his defender Jose Maria Gimenez for an equally threatening tackle on the night.
“A bad foul, it’s a yellow card because it goes sideways. Bellingham goes from the front and I think it’s a bit more,” he stated paradoxically.
No time to lament
The game at Civitas Metropolitano may not have gone Real Madrid’s way. Yet, it is good for the Merengues to taste defeat early and see the gaping holes in their dynamic.
Carlo Ancelotti admitted in his press conference that he bore the lion’s share of the fault for Sunday’s loss and that he would have done things differently if given the chance.
“Maybe I could have done it better. It’s pretty clear. When the team doesn’t do what it has to do, it’s my responsibility,” he stated.
Nevertheless, Los Blancos have a hectic schedule ahead with two games in the next five days and a UCL fixture against Napoli next week. With Vinicius Jr back, one hopes they find their mojo once again.
