Real Madrid News
Xabi Alonso responds to Real Madrid job rumours: “Still have a lot to achieve”
Xabi Alonso has emerged as one of the hottest prospects in the managerial market recently following his excellent stint at Bayer Leverkusen this season.
Although Die Werkself are not yet in contention for the top four spots in the Bundesliga so far, Alonso has earned many plaudits for managing the team well and establishing an identity within the Leverkusen side.
That has led to links of a move away from Leverkusen in the coming summer, with Real Madrid among the clubs keeping close tabs on his situation. Tottenham Hotspur, too, are scouting the young coach, as they look for a replacement for Antonio Conte next season.
However, in a recent interview, Xabi Alonso has poured water over hopes of a potential move to Real Madrid or Tottenham Hotspur, suggesting he would like to remain at Leverkusen next season.
“I’ve been in football for many years, rumours are normal but we still have a lot to achieve,” he said (h/t Fabrizio Romano).
“That’s why my head is 100 percent here for the last few months. And my head is also 100 percent here for next season,” he added.
Alonso’s comments about his future are hardly surprising as one major reason behind his Leverkusen job was the long-term project he had embarked upon. Although B04 are prone to losing coaches, he wanted to build something great at Leverkusen right from the beginning.
However, this could play into the hands of Real Madrid. Amid speculations suggesting Carlo Ancelotti’s prolonged stay at the club, the Spanish giants might just prefer Xabi Alonso stay at Leverkusen beyond 2023, before potentially joining Real Madrid in 2024.
That is when Ancelotti’s contract at Santiago Bernabeu expires, giving Alonso the chance to build something great at another one of his former clubs.
Real Madrid will walk down the tunnel of Santiago Bernabeu one last time this season on Sunday night. The men in white are pitted against Athletic Club on their final match-day, and the game will not be an easy affair by any means.
The Basque side sit in seventh place on the league standings with 50 points in 37 appearances. However, their qualification for the UEFA Conference League is in danger with Osasuna lurking close behind with an equal number of points.
Anything less than a win could prove insufficient for the visitors and it is clear that they arrive at Santiago Bernabeu with nothing less than a win on their agenda. Madrid Universal brings you three talking points ahead of Real Madrid vs Athletic Club Bilbao.
1. The end of an era for the number 9 shirt?
The grey area around Karim Benzema’s future has only widened in recent days. From a situation where his continuity at Real Madrid was taken for granted, it did not take long for the Frenchman’s story to enter a steep deviation.
An economically tempting proposal from Saudi Arabia had Benzema seriously contemplating a move away from Santiago Bernabeu, and reports stated that his departure from the Spanish club was close to complete.
The world, thus, looked in anticipation of his next official interaction with the media. The Ballon d’Or winner publicly addressed the topic for the first time earlier this week, and it is safe to say that his words gave nothing away.
Benzema neither confirmed nor completely refuted the rumours of his exit to the media. His situation is balanced on the blade of a knife and could tip in either direction.
In that sense, there is a good chance that tomorrow’s clash at Santiago Bernabeu is Karim Benzema’s final game for Real Madrid. If the striker does choose to change loyalties, it would mark the end of an era for the team’s number nine position.
It has been over a decade since the Frenchman took over the prestigious kit. He has played 647 games for the club so far in his career, scoring a stunning 353 goals in the process. Of them, 98 have been match-winning contributions.
2. A day of farewells
Earlier today, Real Madrid announced the departure of Marco Asensio from the club. The Spanish winger appears set to sign for PSG for the 2023-24 season and will bid adieu on Sunday. However, he will not be the only player playing his final game for the club tomorrow.
Nacho Fernandez has been a critical part of Real Madrid’s success in recent years but is another name close to sealing an exit. The defender is not satisfied with the playing time under his belt at the club and has not yet responded to the renewal offer on his table.
With his contract running out in less than 30 days, he appears closer to leaving than staying. One can expect an announcement from Nacho on Sunday night after the game at the Bernabeu, which could be his final game in white.
The situation with Dani Ceballos is quite similar. The Spanish midfielder is still undecided on his future, although there is still a slight chance he could continue at the club. Staying on the subject of players making their final appearance, however, he could be one on the list.
Away from the stories of incomplete renewal negotiations, Mariano Diaz is one player whose departure from the club is confirmed. Ferland Mendy, Jesus Vallejo, Alvaro Odriozola and Eden Hazard are some of the other candidates well-placed to make departures, although nothing can be said for sure.
3. A tight race for second place
There is not much to play for on Sunday night except for the emotional tag of it being the season’s final game. Yet, the men in white will not be without an objective against Athletic Club.
Los Blancos sit on 77 points in 37 league appearances this season and just have a one-point lead over third-placed Atletico Madrid. Needless to say, they must be vary of their position on the standings for any complacency could see them drop down the ladder.
Diego Simeone’s men take on fifth-placed Villarreal at the same time as Real Madrid’s game against Athletic Club. Even if Carlo Ancelotti’s men settle for a draw against the Basque side, the second place would be Atletico Madrid’s to lose.
With both games kicking off simultaneously, there will be nerves throughout the ninety minutes in Madrid. One can only hope for action-filled games to keep the anxiety and adrenaline high.
