Xabi Alonso is the coach most often mentioned as a possible replacement for Carlo Ancelotti next season. Real Madrid have already made their interest known, but everything depends on how the season ends for the Whites, because if they finish with a number of titles, there is unlikely to be any reason to dispense with the Italian.
An uncertain future with Ancelotti
At Real Madrid there are doubts about whether Carlo Ancelotti will continue as coach of the Whites. Despite the Italian’s track record, as the most successful coach in the history of the merengue team, his future will depend, to a large extent, on the titles he wins with the team. He is not saying anything at Real Madrid, his contract is in force until next season, and now is not the time to rock the boat. However, a certain sector of Valdebebas would welcome a change of scenery. They believe that Ancelotti’s time at the helm of Real Madrid is coming to an end and that it is time to bring in a new perspective.
However, titles are king. Ancelotti is still in the running in all competitions, his track record speaks for itself, and of course, it remains to be seen who decides to dispense with the coach, whether he manages to retain the league title or if he wins the cup again. It would not make sense to dismiss him, although this could change if he fails to win titles or if he only manages to win the Copa del Rey, a minor title for Real Madrid, with more negative consequences for losing it than positive ones for winning it.
Xabi Alonso on hold
Some media outlets, such as Bild, claim that the meetings between Xabi Alonso and Real Madrid are closed, and only the response of the Basque coach is pending, who would be delighted to coach the white club but who, given the above, has certain doubts as to whether he will finish this season at Real Madrid. For this reason, he has not yet made a decision and is waiting to see how Real Madrid progress in the league and the Champions League.
Of all the candidates, Xabi Alonso is liked at Real Madrid. In addition to the mark he left as a player, he also began his coaching career in the youth teams of the club. He knows the club perfectly, the demands (similar to those he will impose from the bench), and the need to combine attractive, vertical football, without renouncing touch and collective play. His way of seeing football makes him one of the right coaches for the first team.
He has the support of his club
On the other hand, Bayer Leverkusen are making things very easy for him. They are aware of the coach’s unique opportunity to sign with Real Madrid, and after taking the team to unthinkable heights a few years ago, they have nothing but words of gratitude for the Toulouse coach. They will be delighted to have him back next season and will accept with resignation if he finally decides to leave, but at no time is he pressured by the club to make a decision as soon as possible.
Everything points to Xabi Alonso becoming the coach of Real Madrid, but it remains to be seen if it will be next season or later. The truth is that the coach has not yet given an answer, conditioned by Carlo Ancelotti who is walking a tightrope like no one else, a tightrope that will be difficult for him to hold if he fails to win titles. The next La Liga matches and the Champions League tie against Arsenal will decide the future of both coaches.