Reportedly set to take charge of Brazil next year, Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti is now said to have named who he thinks should be the prime candidate to succeed him at the Santiago Bernabeu.
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During the course of the 2022/23 campaign, there was growing speculation as to whether or not Los Blancos president Florentino Perez would fire the Italian tactician, especially after their attempt to retain the LaLiga title faltered at a relatively early stage and with their UEFA Champions League campaign ending in a loss in the semi-finals.
There has been uncertainty surrounding the 64-year-old's position in the Real dugout as a result, but because the Reggiolo native's current contract expires only in June 2024, he is expected to run down his deal in the Spanish capital, with Brazilian Football Confederation president Ednaldo Rodrigues having publicly stated that Ancelotti will take charge of the Selecao ahead of the 2024 Copa America.
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Now, according to Spanish journalist Eduardo Inda, the four-time Champions League-winning coach has recommended the manager who should replace him at Valdebebas – his former Real player, Xabi Alonso.
"Ancelotti has recommended him for Real Madrid when they have asked him," Inda explained, per Fichajes.
"Carletto has one year left on his contract and we will see if he fulfils it. The recommendation is a person who has been a Real Madrid player, who is successful outside of Spain and he falls very well in the leadership of Real Madrid, not only as a coach and ex-player, but also because of his image.
"I am referring, obviously, to Xabi Alonso."
The ex-Los Blancos midfielder is currently manager of Bundesliga outfit Bayer Leverkusen, and has been heavily linked with a switch to Los Merengues in the recent months Ancelotti's future has been up in the air.
Alonso was a playmaker in two of Ancelotti's teams during his playing days. First at Real, where they helped the club end a 12-year wait for the European Cup, and then briefly at Bayern Munich.
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Touted as one of the brightest young coaches in European football, it seems Ancelotti shares the same admiration for the Tolosa native that the Madrid club's hierarchy reportedly has.
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