Real Madrid News
Three candidates Real Madrid are looking at to replace Carlo Ancelotti – report
While the 2023/24 season is still in its infancy, Real Madrid already have started preparations for the next campaign.
While a new top forward and a left-back are understood to be at the top of the transfer wishlist for Los Blancos next year, they will likely have to bring in a replacement for manager Carlo Ancelotti as well.
The Italian tactician is in the final year of his contract which expires in 2024 and is being linked with the Brazil national team job.
Real Madrid identify Ancelotti replacements
As such, Real Madrid are already looking at possible candidates to succeed the legendary 64-year-old manager and have identified three options as per Mundo Deportivo.
Interestingly, all three replacement candidates that Real Madrid are looking at have a rich history with the club and legends at the Bernabeu.
The names Los Blancos are considering are former midfielder Xabi Alonso, former striker Raul Gonzalez, and ex-defender Alvaro Arbeloa.
Alonso is thriving at Bayer Leverkusen since taking over as manager at the German club last season, and has reportedly emerged as Florentino Perez’s top preference to take over from Ancelotti.
At the same time, though, the Merengues are looking at Raul, who has done a sterling job with the Castilla team over the past couple of years.
The legendary striker was linked with a move to Villarreal earlier this week, but is set to continue in Madrid, and could be an option to succeed Ancelotti.
Meanwhile, Arbeloa has been performing very well with Real Madrid’s Juvenil A team, leading them to the domestic treble last season after going unbeaten in their league group in the Division de Honor, lifting the Copa del Rey Juvenil and the Copa de Campeones
Ancelotti could continue at Real Madrid
While replacements are being lined up, it has also been reported that the possibility of Ancelotti continuing at Real Madrid next season is likely as well.
The Italian tactician would be open to continuing at the Santiago Bernabeu if the club were to offer him a new contract.
So, the situation remains open as of now and only time will tell if the legendary manager continues at the club or if Los Blancos turn to one of their former stars to replace him.
Aurelien Tchouameni has had an exciting start to his career at Real Madrid. Since joining the club for almost €80 million last summer, the young Frenchman has now become a pivotal figure in Real Madrid’s midfield unit.
However, prior to his move to Santiago Bernabeu, the midfielder was closely linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain.
In a recent interview, Tchouameni opened up on his links to PSG but revealed his decision to join Real Madrid.
Aurelien Tchouameni on PSG links
Talking about speculations linking him to PSG, Tchouameni said (h/t Madrid Zone), “PSG? Frankly, I thought about it. It’s a very big European club, we want the French clubs to succeed.”
“But honestly, when Real Madrid calls you, it’s very complicated to say no,” Tchouameni added.
The midfielder was linked with a move to PSG during his time at AS Monaco. Les Parisiens wanted to sign the youngster as part of their plans to reinforce the midfield unit.
Tchouameni, though, ended up opting for a move to Real Madrid, which turned out to be a prudent decision from the midfielder’s end.
Tchouameni’s career at Real Madrid
Aurelien Tchouameni made a total of 50 competitive appearances during his maiden season at Real Madrid.
Although the Frenchman was not entirely a first-team regular in Carlo Ancelotti’s setup, his stature in the team is expected to grow in the coming years.
Especially as Toni Kroos and Luka Modric move on at the end of the season, there is scope for Tchouameni to become a first-team regular in the Real Madrid midfield in the years to come.
The former AS Monaco starlet has already played a crucial role in the starting eleven so far this season and it is only going to continue as the season progresses.
