Real Madrid News
Real Madrid president sees 41-year-old club legend as the ideal Ancelotti replacement
A lot has been said about the future of Carlo Ancelotti this year. The Italian was almost destined to leave Real Madrid following back-to-back defeats to Barcelona.
However, recent reports suggest Ancelotti may remain at Real Madrid next season following the club’s strong showing in the Champions League and the Copa Del Rey.
But nothing has been confirmed just yet and there are still uncertainties over the future of the former AC Milan boss. To that end, SportBILD has suggested Real Madrid boss Florentino Perez is still scouring the market for options, in case Ancelotti leaves the club.
As per the report, one option Perez likes the most is Xabi Alonso. The former Real Madrid midfielder has been enjoying immense success since being appointed as the Bayer Leverkusen head coach.
Although Leverkusen are not in the fray for the top-four race, Alonso has driven the team to success, building a solid foundation and installing a tactical identity that has made Leverkusen a team to beat in the Bundesliga.
The report suggests Florentino Perez considers Alonso as an ‘ideal’ replacement for Ancelotti, should he leave the club at the end of the season.
Being a former Real Madrid player, the Spaniard is well aware of the dynamics and style of play at Santiago Bernabeu. He also exudes confidence and respect among peers, making him an excellent candidate for a team like Real Madrid.
With Zinedine Zidane’s return taking a complicated turn Alonso could indeed prove to be a manager worth keeping an eye on, as Real Madrid wait till the season’s end before they evaluate the future of Carlo Ancelotti. An exciting summer awaits both parties.
Real Madrid News
English legend backs Real Madrid star to become one of the all-time greats: ‘He’s got everything’
Jude Bellingham has spent the past fortnight as the most talked-about footballer in England, and the superlatives show no sign of slowing down.
A masterclass in the Nations League, a clutch of records and a second straight Player of the Year award has not gone unnoticed in English footballing media.
Now one of the English game’s most respected voices has added his name to the growing list of believers.
Lineker backs Bellingham
Asked whether Bellingham can go on to become one of the greatest players of all time, England legend Gary Lineker left no room for doubt.
“Yes, I’ve been saying it for a long time now. If he avoids serious injury or falls of the rails which he won’t I’m sure.
“He’s so good at football, he’s got everything. He’s a superstar and carries himself like a superstar,” he said (h/t Track Radio).
The verdict chimes comes in the midst of a wider chorus of acclaim in recent days. Roy Keane tipped him to become one of the greatest of all time after the Croatia rout, with Ian Wright and Micah Richards among others queuing up to praise him.
Backed by the numbers
The acclaim for Bellingham comes on the back of an extraordinary international break for Bellingham.
Against Croatia, Bellingham scored one and created three in the 7-0 win, becoming the first England player to record four goal involvements in a single game since David Platt in 1993.
He finished the window with one goal and four assists and was named UEFA’s Player of the Round.
That international excellence has carried over to the Bernabeu, where he has settled into a free number 10 role under Jose Mourinho and sits as the club’s joint-leading creator.
Bellingham was part of Real Madrid’s recent 1-0 win over Villarreal as well, and was unlucky not to register an assist when Vinicius Jr.’s goal was disallowed.
The Englishman will be looking to make an impact once again when Real Madrid take on AS Roma this Wednesday.
