Real Madrid Eye Xabi Alonso as Ancelotti’s Replacement After Champions League Exit

Real Madrid have set their sights on Bayer Leverkusen’s Xabi Alonso to replace Carlo Ancelotti at the end of the season, according to transfer expert Nico Schira. The decision comes after a humiliating 1-5 defeat to Arsenal in the Champions League on April 16, 2025, which saw the Spanish giants crash out of the competition. Ancelotti, despite securing 15 trophies since rejoining Madrid in 2021, including a La Liga-Champions League double last season, has faced mounting pressure due to the team’s inconsistent form—winning just two of their last five matches before the Arsenal loss.

Alonso, a former Real Madrid midfielder, has emerged as a top managerial talent since taking over Leverkusen in 2022. His unbeaten domestic double in 2024, clinching the Bundesliga and DFB Pokal, has made him a fan favorite to return to the Bernabeu. The 43-year-old previously coached Madrid’s U14 team and has been praised for his modern, possession-based approach. While some fans advocate for Zinedine Zidane or Jürgen Klopp, Alonso’s deep ties to the club and recent success position him as the frontrunner to lead Real Madrid into a new era.