Alonso set to replace Ancelotti at Real Madrid

Timing is everything. Last season Liverpool tried to prize their former star player, Xabi Alonso, away from Bayer Leverkusen to replace Jürgen Klopp. Alonso opted to stay in Germany for another season and Liverpool settled on Arne Slot instead.

Unsurprisingly, Alonso was at the top of everybody’s managerial wish list. He joined the struggling outfit in October 2022 with the team second from bottom and lifted them into a Europa-League qualifying 6^th place. But it’s what happened in 2023/24 season that was truly astonishing.

In a league perennially dominated by Bayern Munich, Leverkusen went through the entire season unbeaten – a feat that has never been done before. They won the title with five games to spare. On May 9^th 2024 they set a new European record of 49 competitive matches without defeat in all competitions. They completed the domestic double by winning the Cup (DFB-Pokal) and reached the final of the Europa League, where they suffered their first and only defeat of the entire season, losing 3-0 to Atalanta. Though Alonso couldn’t reach the same heights this season, they still sit in a highly respectable 2^nd place.

Two of Alonso’s other former clubs - Bayern Munich and Real Madrid - were the other suitors for his services. Munich went for Vincent Kompany, despite him having just overseen Burnley’s relegation from the EPL; Real Madrid stuck with Ancelotti after another trophy-winning season. Between Liverpool, Bayern and Real Madrid, there was always a sense that the team that had the worst 2024/25 season would come knocking for Alonso sooner or later. It’s even rumored that Alonso has a gentleman’s agreement with Leverkusen that allows him to join one of his former clubs – Madrid, Bayern Munich, Liverpool or Real Sociedad – if they come knocking.

That moment looks to be now. Real Madrid – Mbappé and all - have stumbled this season. They sit four points behind Barcelona in La Liga and failed to reach the Champions League semi-final for the first time since 2019/20. Alonso hardly quelled speculation when asked about a possible move to Real ahead of Leverkusen’s win today.

 “I always say that the communication with Simon [Rolfes, Leverkusen sporting director] and Fernando [Carro, Leverkusen CEO] is very clear. And, when there is something to decide, we will be very direct. There is no pressure on the timing of the decision. The situation is clear. There’s a moment for everything. So we need to wait a bit.”

In other words, classic manager speak for “this is happening; watch this space".

Related: Mbappé is making Real Madrid Worse