Carlo Ancelotti has spoken about his potential successor at the helm of Real Madrid.
Though it has seemingly been all but confirmed that Ancelotti will take over the Brazilian men’s national team upon the expiration of his Los Blancos deal, nothing is official until he actually signs the contract with the CBF in January. Therefore, speculation regarding the Italian’s future continues to abound.
While most of the talk is focused on Ancelotti’s eventual successor, some believe there is still a chance for the 64-year-old to extend his stay at the Santiago Bernabeu. At the press conference ahead of Real’s midweek clash with Las Palmas, Ancelotti was asked about a potential extension after Barcelona head coach Xavi had put pen to paper on a new deal.
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“I’m very happy here, everyone knows it,” Ancelotti replied. “But now is not the time for this.” Inevitably, he was also asked about his potential successor in the Los Blancos dugout.
Ancelotti on Alonso
Late on Monday (September 25), Radio MARCA claimed that Xabi Alonso would definitely succeed Ancelotti next summer, despite the Spaniard recently signing a new long-term deal with Bayern-chasing Bayer Leverkusen.
Ancelotti gave his thoughts on the potential appointment of Alonso but he also threw the hats of Raul and Alvaro Arbeloa, former Real Madrid stars who currently coach in the club’s youth system, in the ring.
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“I know him [Alonso] because I had him as a player,” Ancelotti said. “He has enormous knowledge of football and is doing great at Bayer Leverkusen.”
“I wish him, like Raul or Arbeloa, to one day coach Real Madrid. Because it’s the best. Because I love them very much. I hope one day they can coach this club.”
Raul has frequently been tipped to be a potential successor to Ancelotti. The Los Blancos legend was recently linked with the Villarreal job after Quique Setien’s sacking but the Yellow Submarine opted to appoint Pacheta instead.