As the season nears its conclusion, Real Madrid’s managerial future is coming into focus. After painful defeats to Arsenal in the Champions League and Barcelona in the Copa del Rey, and with La Liga slipping away, the club has decided to part ways with Carlo Ancelotti. Although talks with the Brazilian national team have stalled, Madrid has already determined that Ancelotti’s era—marked by 15 titles—will end this summer. Even if he mounts a La Liga comeback, he will not lead the team into the Club World Cup, where an interim coach—most likely Santiago Solari—is expected to step in temporarily before handing over the reins to the club’s preferred long-term choice: Xabi Alonso.

Currently managing Bayer Leverkusen, Xabi is fully aware of Madrid’s interest. While his agent, Iñaki Ibáñez, denies any formal agreement, conversations have taken place. Leverkusen’s CEO, Fernando Carro, confirmed at the Laureus Awards that there’s a gentleman’s agreement in place to allow Xabi to leave if a former club, such as Madrid, comes calling: “We have a gentleman's agreement that if a team he's played for comes to us, we would sit down and talk and we wouldn't put any obstacles in the way."

If Xabi Alonso takes over at Madrid, he is expected to bring names of his own to the table—starting with two high-profile targets: Martín Zubimendi and Florian Wirtz. Madrid has tracked both for some time. Zubimendi, seen as a natural successor to Toni Kroos, is available for a €60 million release clause. Wirtz’s signing would be more complex, with a price tag exceeding €100 million, and would likely necessitate an outgoing transfer from Madrid’s current forward line.

A third name linked to Xabi’s Madrid is center back Jonathan Tah. The German defender, known for his strength and aerial dominance, has reportedly agreed to join Barcelona—but the deal is now uncertain due to Barça’s ongoing financial doubts and reduced need in central defense. Madrid is watching the situation closely, especially with Xabi’s system favoring three central defenders. While Dean Huijsen is the club’s primary target, Tah could be a valuable, cost-effective alternative as a free agent.

********************************************************

You can now download the Madridista News App for free on the Apple Store and Google Play.

You can follow us on Facebook here.

You can follow us on X (Twitter) here.                                                                    

You can follow us on Instagram here.

You can subscribe to our YouTube channel here.

You can follow us on Telegram here.

You can follow us on TikTok here.

You can join our WhatsApp channel here.