The bench at Real Madrid has become one of the soap operas of recent months, and it will continue until Florentino Pérez finally makes a decision. For now, he is waiting for the season to end or, at least, for the league championship to be decided (since the Copa del Rey will be decided this weekend). It seemed that Xabi Alonso was the favorite for the job, but the options of Jürgen Klopp and the pressure from Anas Laghari could change everything.
Xabi Alonso, the best placed
Xabi Alonso is currently the coach most likely to become the new Real Madrid coach. The Tolosa-born coach has convinced the board on several fronts: his competitive spirit, his style of play—very much in the vein that has brought Real Madrid success throughout its history, with a very vertical game without sacrificing touch and ball control—and because he knows the club and the demands of Real Madrid. Last season, Xabi Alonso only lost one game with Leverkusen, the Europa League final, but the disappointment did not overshadow the tremendous campaign he had played.
The only doubts Real Madrid has is whether he will be able to handle the pressure of being at the helm of a team that will be measuring him from the day his hiring is announced, if it is announced.
Jürgen Klopp, the second option
Jürgen Klopp is the second option, but he also has a lot going for him to become the new coach of the Whites. His style of play is also very popular, and he has the advantage of having spent nine seasons at the top of European football with Liverpool, where he reached three Champions League finals (losing two against Real Madrid). The downside is that he does not know the club, but his character and performance make him a strong contender for Real Madrid.
In this regard, Anas Laghrari, a Moroccan investor, is pressuring Florentino Pérez to opt for the German coach: he believes that he is better suited to the team and that, with his experience, he can take Real Madrid to the top.
Who is Anas Laghrari
Anas Laghrari is a Moroccan investor who, together with Florentino Pérez, is behind the Super League project. He forged his reputation in Swiss banking and in recent years has been closely linked to the Real Madrid president, advising him on many decisions taken by the club’s boss.
Anas Laghrari has a soft spot for Jürgen Klopp and is said to be behind the German’s move to the Real Madrid dugout. Since the elimination from the Super Cup against Barcelona, when it was already clear what the end of the season might hold, Anas Laghrari has been trying to convince Florentino Pérez that Klopp is the best option to return to European glory.
Real Madrid is waiting for the season to end to decide the future of Ancelotti, but everything suggests that he is playing his last games as Real Madrid coach. Now it will be time to decide whether the best option is to go for Xabi Alonso or Jürgen Klopp. Both have arguments for and against taking the reins, both are liked by fans who are calling for change, and both are willing to come, but now the final decision is in the hands of Florentino Pérez, who will have to decide who to hand the squad over to next season, a season in which there will be a lot of pressure to see Real Madrid take a step forward.