Because of his success with Leverkusen, Xabi Alonso is considered a coaching candidate at Real Madrid. Incumbent Carlo Ancelotti praised his potential successor.
Star coach Carlo Ancelotti can imagine Xabi Alonso as his successor at Real Madrid. “He knows football very well at a high level, he’s doing very well at Bayer Leverkusen because he can read football well, he has the ability to do that,” Ancelotti said before Wednesday’s home game against UD Las Palmas.
The old master has been looking after the Champions League record winner for the second time in office since 2021 and, according to CBF President Ednaldo Rodrigues, should become the national coach of Brazil in 2024.
The 64-year-old also added that he had hope for Alonso and Real legends Raul and Alvaro Arbeloa, “that one day you can become coach of Real Madrid.”
Xabi Alonso successful with Leverkusen
Alonso, who played for Real from 2009 to 2014, has been coaching Leverkusen since last year. The 41-year-old’s contract runs until 2026, but according to “Sport Bild” it should contain an exit clause. After reaching the Europa League semi-finals and the great start to the Bundesliga season with four wins and one draw, Radio Marca recently speculated that Alonso could succeed Ancelotti in 2024.