The future of Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid is in doubt. Despite being a coach with the backing of the club, the latest setbacks in important competitions have led Florentino Pérez and his team to start considering alternative options for the Madrid bench for next season, as club sources have informed GRADA3. The painful 5-2 defeat to Barcelona in the Super Cup final and the irregular La Liga and Champions League performances have set off alarm bells at Valdebebas. This is what they are thinking today in T-4 at the Bernabéu.
Xabi Alonso, Real Madrid’s favourite
One of the names that has gained strength and is being mentioned more and more lately is that of Xabi Alonso. The former Real Madrid midfielder is doing an extraordinary job at Bayer Leverkusen, establishing the team as one of the biggest surprises in the Bundesliga and coming close to winning the UEFA Europa League. His vision, his understanding of the game, his connection with the club as a player and his natural leadership make him the ideal candidate to lead a new sporting project.
For Florentino Pérez, Alonso is the ideal coach to return Real Madrid to their place on the European football scene with a modern and competitive style of football. But his contract with Leverkusen could complicate negotiations and the club would be forced to look for an interim solution.
Zidane, the return that seduces Real Madrid
The former footballer and former coach of Real Madrid, Zinedine Zidane, will be an always fundamental figure in Real Madrid and his name is reborn in every period of doubt. The Frenchman, who led the club to the legacy of three consecutive Champions Leagues, has been without a team since 2021. His knowledge of the squad, his ability to manage the stars and his history of success at decisive moments mean that his return is viewed favorably by the fans and the board.
Although Zidane has shown reluctance about the possibility of returning to the bench, his return to start a third cycle at Real Madrid cannot be ruled out. Zidane’s relationship with Florentino Pérez is one of the factors that could facilitate his return, especially if the club presided over by Florentino Pérez needs an urgent solution to replace Ancelotti.
Raúl, Real Madrid’s internal bet
Raúl González Blanco, current coach of Real Madrid Castilla, is another name that appears on the list. A club legend as well as an expert in the youth academy, his profile fits in with the desire to strengthen the club’s identity and give continuity to the work done with the young players.
Although his records with the club’s reserve team are not entirely brilliant, his standing and respect in the dressing room mean that part of the board is keeping him in mind. Raúl would be a long-term project in a team that is once again revolving around the youth academy as well as the club’s more traditional values.
Other names on the white radar
Real Madrid has also considered other options. Santiago Solari, the club’s current director of football, had a brief stint in charge of the first team in 2018, when Vinicius Jr. took his first steps in elite football, and he has the support of the various internal factions.
Álvaro Arbeloa, managing the Juvenil A, is another profile that is liked for his commitment and character, although it is true that he has no experience in the elite. Apart from him, Jürgen Klopp has also been linked on certain occasions, but his continuity at Liverpool and his desire to take a break seem to distance him from the Santiago Bernabéu.
The choice of the next coach will not only define the new direction the team will take, but will also begin a new era for the most successful club in Europe. The announcement could come in the next few weeks, while the candidates with the best chance of taking the Whites’ bench are Xabi Alonso, Zidane and Raúl.