Ancelotti may move to Brazil as manager and Alonso is favourite to take over at Real Madrid

Ancelotti may move to Brazil as manager and Alonso is favourite to take over at Real Madrid

 Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti will quit Real Madrid with Xabi Alonso ready to replace him, according to reports.

The 65-year-old boss guided Los Blancos to La Liga and Champions League glory last season.

But Ancelotti is ready to step down as manager in the summer.

The Italian, who is three-and-a-half years into his second spell at the club, signed a new deal in 2023.

Ancelotti's contract came amid rumours he was going to leave to become Brazil's manager.

His contract at the Bernabeu runs until 2026, but he will reportedly now say farewell "no matter what happens" between now and the end of the season.

Ancelotti has come under criticism for losing two El Clasico's to bitter rivals Barcelona 4-0 and 5-2.

He also oversaw a poor start to the season that has left Real Madrid 20th in the Champions League table.

But they have since recovered in the league and now sit top.

Ancelotti has won two La Liga titles in his second spell at the Bernabeu, as well as two Champions Leagues.

He also won the European Cup in his first tenure, in 2014.

Club president Florentino Perez is already working on replacing Ancelotti and is targeting former player Xabi Alonso.

The Spaniard was heavily linked with the Liverpool job in the summer but rejected them to stay at Bayer Leverkusen.

Alonso led the club to an unbeaten domestic season as they lifted the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal.

Meanwhile, Leverkusen will look for a second win under Alonso at the Metropolitano in three years, after their victory in the Spanish capital helped knock out Los Colchoneros in the group stage for the first time.

Alonso was peppered with questions about whether he would be continuing at Leverkusen next season.

“I can’t say anything, we’re in the middle of a season and all the clubs have big goals. Atletico has them, Madrid too and I’m thinking about achieving them. The match is very important for both of us and I’m focused on that.”

However, Alonso did wax lyrical about his time at Real Madrid, calling it ‘unforgettable’.

“Time passes over the years but the affection endures and that relationship is unforgettable. We are grateful, the bond is very strong, and it was a very nice stage as a player. They were intense years, it was hard for us to get what we wanted but when we achieved it, it will endure.”

Understandably, Alonso was asked if he had prepared himself for the onslaught of questions about his future.

“I haven’t prepared myself, it doesn’t bother me, it doesn’t surprise me. I’m only thinking about Atletico, that’s what I’ve prepared myself for and I’ve got enough to do,” he told Marca.

Alonso still has a house in Madrid and was back in December to carry out renovation work, something that kept the rumour mill turning. On facing Atletico, Alonso noted that the atmosphere at the Metropolitano was something to be reckoned with, and their stars were smart with their use of the ball.

“Coming back to Madrid is always a great experience. I remember two years ago, which was exciting. Coming back always has a special touch. Atletico demands a lot from you and that is motivation enough.”

The Basque coach has been tipped as a future Real Madrid manager almost since he left their under-19s team, before spells at Real Sociedad B and Leverkusen. Now with both Ancelotti and Alonso out of contract in 2026, many see it as a question of when not if Alonso returns to the Santiago Bernabeu. It is not yet clear whether Ancelotti will be given the chance to see out his contract, if Los Blancos secure La Liga, or president Florentino Perez, wants to speed up the operation anyway.