Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has endorsed Xabi Alonso as his successor at the Santiago Bernabeu but states that he is not ready to give up the seat just yet.
Xabi Alonso is currently in his first full season as a first-team coach after leaving Real Sociedad B to take over from Gerardo Seoane as Bayer 04 Leverkusen’s manager in October 2022. He took them from 17th on the log to sixth, helping them to secure UEFA Europa League football. He also narrowly missed out on the final of the 2022/23 Europa League after his side was eliminated by AS Roma, managed by his former manager José Mourinho.
Leverkusen are now second on the Bundesliga log, behind Bayern Munich on goal difference after five games. Alonso is also catching the attention of the bigger clubs and he is no longer looking like a rookie manager. He is now seen in the class of Xavi (Barcelona), Mikel Arteta (Arsenal) and Roberto De Zerbi (Brighton and Hove Albion), three young managers who are predicted to lead the next generation of football minds.
His affiliation with Real Madrid has also seen him linked to the role in the future. With the growing possibility of Ancelotti moving on to manage the Brazil national team in the near future, the 41-year-old is believed to be the anointed one to replace the veteran in the dugout for Los Blancos.
Ancelotti, who managed Alonso in his final years at Real Madrid and at Bayern Munich where he retired, has endorsed his former charge to take over from him when he leaves the club. The 64-year-old said he would love to see Alonso manage Real Madrid someday but that he is still very comfortable in the role and does not plan to give it up yet.
“I know him, because I had him as a player. He has an enormous knowledge of football and he is doing great at Leverkusen,” Ancelotti said at Real Madrid’s pre-match press conference ahead of their LaLiga clash with Las Palmas. “He’s someone I know, someone I love, and I hope that him, like Raul or Arbeloa, can one day coach Real Madrid. Because it is the best. Because I love them very much. I hope one day they can coach this club.”
About leaving the role in the near future for Alonso to take over, Ancelotti added: “Everyone knows that I am very happy here, but it’s not the moment to speak about that.”
“There are a lot of games now, and we will have time to speak about that in the future.”
