Xabi Alonso the favourite to replace Ancelotti as Madrid coach in summer
The former Real Madrid coach has worked wonders as the manager of Bayer Leverkusen
The defeat to Atlético (3-1) in the Madrid derby has put paid to Carlo Ancelotti's slim chances of staying on as Real Madrid coach beyond this season.
The image left by the team convinced the president, Florentino Pérez, that the veteran Italian coach's time at the helm has come to an end. Carletto's contract expires on 30 June and the club will not consider renewing it. The Italian will continue his career with the Brazil national team.
And Florentino has already decided on his replacement. As reported on Monday by 'Radio Marca', former Real Madrid player and current Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso is once again in pole position. It is an option that has always been on the table and that this summer did not materialise because the Madrid president personally endorsed Ancelotti's continuity.
Seeing as the door to Madrid was closing on him, Xabi Alonso renewed his contract with Bayer Leverkusen until 2026, although he always had his sights set on the Real Madrid bench. And his arrival will take place next summer, barring a 180-degree turn of events.
Real Madrid Castilla coach Raúl González is in the mix, but not as an alternative for the future, but as a stopgap in case bad results take Ancelotti out of the job early.
Xabi Alonso gained coaching experience with Real Sociedad's reserve team, the club where he was brought up, before making the step up to Bayer Leverkusen last season. Last season he revived a team that was adrift and at the start of the season he has put them at the top of the table, competing for first place with Bayern Munich.
The player from San Sebastian defended the Real Madrid shirt for six seasons and next summer it looks like he will start a new stage from the bench.
