There is something about managers from the Basque country. Mikel Arteta is showing palpable process with Arsenal, Andoni Iraola is on the verge of signing with Bournemouth after doing wonders with Rayo Vallecano, there’s no need saying too much about Unai Emery. And there is former pillar-acting midfielder Xabi Alonso, who after managing Real Sociedad B took over Bayer Leverkusen and bettered the Pharmacists immediately. Now, the 41-year-old is close to taking it up a couple of notches – his former team Real Madrid are thinking about him to be Carlo Ancelotti’s successor. The Italian mastermind could depart the La Liga giants next year amid rumours linking him to the Brazil national side and the Royal Club identified Alonso as a potential replacement.The Spanish giants crashed out of the Champions League to Manchester City in the semi-finals, and finished 10 points behind La Liga winners Barcelona after losing eight of their 38 league games.##NAJAVA_MECA_7331275##Ancelotti’s side had an underwhelming campaign last term, given that they came from winning La Liga and the Champions League in his first season back at Madrid in 2021-22.Madrid did manage to win some silverware though but questions were asked about the Italian’s future at the club – following their Champions League semi-final exit. Earlier this month, Ancelotti confirmed that he would be staying on as the Madrid manager for another season. After that, the 64-year-old could be moving to take over as Brazil’s new manager. Hence Los Blancos looking to a club legend to succeed the four-time Champions League winning coach and according to the renowned German outlet BILD – Florentino Perez wants Xabi Alonso to replace Ancelotti.Hanging up his boots in 2017, the Spaniard has moved into coaching, having spent time in Madrid’s youth set-up, before taking up a managerial position at Real Sociedad B.He was appointed the manager of Bayer Leverkusen last October and has won 13 of his 26 Bundesliga matches in charge of the German outfit, guiding them to sixth in the table while securing a berth in next season’s Europa League. 🚨💣 BREAKING: Real Madrid plan to hire Xabi Alonso as the club’s new coach when Ancelotti leaves in 2024. @BILD #rmalive pic.twitter.com/nlYC8cX1X4— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) June 21, 2023 The 41-year-old’s contract with Leverkusen will expire in 2024, meaning he will be able to seamlessly transition into the then-vacant managerial position at Madrid, after Ancelotti departs the club. But he will have big boots to fill, with the Italian coach winning two Champions League titles, a league title and two Spanish Super Cups, during his two stints at the Bernabeu. Alonso, who joined the club from Liverpool in 2009, went on to make 236 appearances for Los Blancos and was also a part of Ancelotti’s side that won La Decima in 2013-14.
