Just two months ago it looked like Real Madrid would be looking for a new manager for the first time in six years. However, Carlo Ancelotti has turned things around and put Los Blancos at the top of the table, but that has not changed their plans for his position.
Ancelotti has a contract until 2026 and, provided the second half of the season goes well, will be retained for next season. If results had not improved in November – he had to beat Girona or be sacked, says Relevo – Los Blancos would have planned to replace him with Santiago Solari until the end of the season. They would then have gone after Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso this summer.
However, Alonso is still in the race to replace Ancelotti. The same outlet reports that Alonso is happy to wait until Ancelotti leaves to take over. The Basque coach is happy with Leverkusen and would also extend his contract until 2026, when Los Blancos comes along. He is in no hurry with the takeover. If Ancelotti wins the Champions League or La Liga this season, he will complete his deal, and if not, Alonso will take over.
After turning down offers from Liverpool and Bayern Munich to take over last summer, Alonso appeared likely to pursue the Real Madrid job at some point. Alonso has enjoyed success in both of his senior coaching jobs at Leverkusen and Real Sociedad B, but started his career as an under-19 coach at Real Madrid.
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