Alonso to replace Ancelotti as Real Madrid manager: Reports

Bayer Leverkusen’s Xabi Alonso poised to regenerate Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti, according to media reports.

Former Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso is acceptable to go the club’s adjacent manager connected a three-year woody erstwhile helium leaves Bayer Leverkusen aft this season, Spanish media report.

Alonso, 43, is expected to regenerate Real brag Carlo Ancelotti, who is being lined up for the vacant Brazil occupation successful the run-up to the 2026 World Cup, sources told the Reuters quality bureau connected Monday.

Despite the Italian having a twelvemonth remaining connected his contract, Real’s underwhelming play and his tendency to manager Brazil person led to a communal statement to portion ways, the sources added.

Alonso, who said earlier this period that helium was leaving Leverkusen aft guiding them to the treble past term, volition articulation Real earlier the inaugural Club World Cup successful the United States from June 14 to July 14, aggregate media reports said.

Alonso, who besides played for Liverpool and Bayern Munich, past play steered Leverkusen to their archetypal Bundesliga title, ending the Bavarians’ 11-year domination, and they besides won the German Cup and German Super Cup.

Real Madrid’s prima guardant Kylian Mbappe reacts aft his side’s 4-3 nonaccomplishment to Barcelona successful La Liga astatine the Olympic Stadium successful Barcelona, Spain, connected May 11, 2025 [Jose Breton/AP Photo]

Reports of Ancelotti’s apt departure travel arsenic nary astonishment aft Real’s 4-3 decision astatine Barcelona successful a thrilling El Clasico connected Sunday near his broadside connected the brink of a trophy-less season.

The 65-year-old Italian, who returned for a 2nd stint astatine Real successful June 2021, led the Spanish giants to 2 Champions League and La Liga doubles, the latest of which came past season.

He is the astir palmy manager successful the club’s past with a full of 15 trophies and the archetypal manager to assertion titles successful Europe’s apical 5 leagues.

However, this play Real were knocked retired of the Champions League successful the quarterfinals by Arsenal, and allowed Barca to combat backmost and triumph 3-2 successful the Copa del Rey final.

Second-placed Real are 7 points adrift of Barcelona, who could unafraid the league rubric connected Wednesday without kicking a shot if Real neglect to triumph astatine location to Mallorca.

Regardless of Real’s result, a Barca triumph successful the metropolis derby distant to Espanyol connected Thursday would clinch the title.

An authoritative announcement regarding a managerial alteration is expected earlier Real’s past crippled of the play astatine location to Real Sociedad connected May 25.

Ancelotti is expected to person a fitting farewell, recognising his 4 highly palmy years with the club.

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti gestures during the Spanish La Liga shot lucifer against Barca successful Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, connected May 11, 2025 [Alberto Estevez/EPA]