Xabi Alonso will be Carlo Ancelotti’s successor at Real Madrid, with the legendary Italian coach set to leave at the end of the season, according to a report.
Ancelotti, 65, has faced pressure this season despite being one of the most decorated managers ever, and bringing immense success to the Santiago Bernabeu.
In two stints managing the Spanish giants, he has won 15 trophies, including three Champions League and two LaLiga titles.
However, trailing Barcelona in the league, losing in the Copa del Rey and Spanish Supercup finals, and crashing out of the Champions League quarter-finals to Arsenal appears to have brought down the axe.
On May 25, after Real’s final LaLiga game of the season against Real Sociedad, Ancelotti will say goodbye in front of 78,000 fans at the Bernabeu, as per Marca.
Los Blancos will begin a new era under Alonso, who will depart Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen, and sign a three-year contract at the club he made 236 appearances for as a player.
Xabi Alonso will reportedly replace Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid at the end of the season
Ancelotti will receive a friendly farewell in front of fans at the Santiago Bernabeu on May 25
Alonso will be in charge in time for Real’s Club World Cup run which will start in mid-June
While Alonso’s input will hold some weight, it is understood that signings will still be made under the club’s control once he joins.
Real do not believe a squad overhaul is necessary; the two main positions they will look to strengthen in the summer are centre back and midfield.
Alonso led Leverkusen to the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal titles last season, losing just one game in 2023-24 – the Europa League final to Atalanta.
This season, his side were pipped to the German league title by Vincent Kompany’s Bayern Munich.
As Leverkusen manager, Alonso has taken charge of 138 games, winning 88 of them – just under an impressive 64 per cent win rate.
As well as being voted the Bundesliga’s coach of the season last year, the Spaniard was also crowned ‘Best Coach of the Year’ by Globe Soccer in 2024.
Alonso’s first game as Real manager will come at this summer’s Club World Cup, which begins in mid-June.
The 43-year-old will bring highly rated assistant coach Sebas Parrilla and fitness trainer Alberto Encinas with him from Leverkusen to Madrid.
The decision to relieve Ancelotti of his duties was made amicably after Real’s Champions League exit last month.
Ancelotti was linked with the vacant Brazil job but has since reportedly turned down the offer to lead them into the 2026 World Cup.
While his next career move is unclear, he is believed to be considering a huge offer to manage in Saudi Arabia, where he would earn €50million (£42m) across the span of his contract.
Real will still have to pay Ancelotti compensation for next year as his contract expires in 2026.
