Madrid Chooses a Replacement for Ancelotti and It's Not Xabi, Changes in the Plan

Despite the victory against Celta de Vigo in the Copa del Rey round of 16, all eyes are firmly on Carlo Ancelotti. He still has the support of Real Madrid's board of directors, but the security of his job isn't the same as it was months ago.

The debates following the heavy defeat in the Spanish Supercopa final revived the discussions about a possible coaching change on the home bench. From the Valdebebas offices, they don't seem to agree much, as they consider the Reggiolo coach the ideal manager to handle the current sports project.

Nevertheless, the doubts regarding Ancelotti's future even this season leave several candidates ready to take the Italian strategist's position as soon as possible. The most frequently mentioned name is Xabi Alonso, currently managing Bayer Leverkusen after a season that propelled him to the elite of European coaches.

Although the option of getting the services of the coach from Tolosa is very appealing, especially because he's considered the "favorite" to succeed Ancelotti himself, it wouldn't be the right time. Much less in the middle of a season where both clubs still have competitions pending resolution. Thus, the executives led by Florentino Pérez would have revived a solution they proposed months ago.

Defined action plan

Because the competitive instability that Real Madrid experienced during October and November also put Carlo Ancelotti's job in the spotlight. The reply from the white leadership, besides publicly reaffirming their commitment to the transalpine coach, was to appoint Santiago Solari as interim coach.

This decision remains in place today: the Argentine, in case Ancelotti is dismissed before the current soccer season ends, will take charge of the team. However, he would only do so until the 2025 summer, when the merengue management can enter the transfer market and facilitate Xabi Alonso's arrival to the home bench at Santiago Bernabéu.

The hiring of the former Madrid player is also subject to many doubts. Xabi Alonso's contract ends in the summer of 2026, in a year and a half, leaving Real Madrid with only one path: paying a transfer fee to the German club. Everything depends on the negotiations between the merengue leadership and Bayer Leverkusen's sports management, which is not very willing to let one of its great stars go for a reduced price.

However, the possibility of a clause related to Real Madrid, Liverpool, and Bayern Munich could solve this "issue" in the offices of Valdebebas. Whatever the outcome of this season, the coaching debate seems to be long solved by the executives led by Florentino Pérez.