Alvaro Arbeloa leapfrogs Raul as a serious contender to succeed Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid
Alvaro Arbeloa jumps over Raúl as a serious contender to succeed Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid…
- Carlo Ancelotti is under contract at the Bernabeu until the end of 2023-2024
- A plan to reinstate Jose Mourinho was leaked to gauge supporters’ reaction
- Ancelotti could not hide his joy at the interest of the Brazilian national team
Real Madrid Under 18 coach Alvaro Arbeloa has jumped past B-team manager Raúl as a serious contender for next season if Carlo Ancelotti continues, but there is a twist – an idea being considered is to put him on the second place alongside a returning Jose Mourinho.
The plan was leaked this week to gauge reaction. Arbeloa was Mourinho’s most loyal player during his last spell in charge.
Such a move would split the club’s support in half, which doesn’t necessarily rule it out.
If overlooked, Raul will look for an overseas challenge, and having previously been probed by Leeds, the Premier League could be his destination.
The former right-back spent 12 years at the Santiago Bernabeu and has been a coach in the club’s youth system since 2020, taking charge in 2022.
Álvaro Arbeloa has surpassed Real Madrid legend Raul Gonzalez by leaps and bounds in the race to succeed Carlo Ancelotti
Raul has taken charge of Real Madrid’s B team but seems to have fallen behind Arbeloa in the pecking order
A return for Jose Mourinho was leaked to fans earlier this week to gauge their reaction
And Arbeloa has a strong track record in the dugout. His side won six of their eight games in the UEFA Youth League, losing only once to AZ Alkmaar in a heavy 4–0 loss.
Ancelotti’s future at the Bernabeu is far from certain, despite the Italian already enjoying great success in his second spell at the club.
Despite appearing to lose the LaLiga race to nemesis Barcelona this season, his side are in the final of the Copa Del Rey and the last eight of the Champions League.
Ancelotti already won the Champions League, LaLiga and the Spanish Super Cup last season.
He is under contract until the end of next season but ruled out a retirement if he left the Spanish capital and has already been linked with other jobs, including a move to the Brazil national team.
“No (I don’t plan on retiring). Let’s see,’ said Ancelotti. “I’m very excited that Brazil wants me, but I have to respect the contract with Madrid, which I want to keep.
“If the chairman of the CBF wants to talk to me, I’d like to meet and greet him.”
The 63-year-old’s comments come after Brazilian FA president Ednaldo Rodrigues expressed admiration for Ancelotti’s management style.
Ancelotti has enjoyed great success since returning to the dugout in Madrid, but his future is unclear
Ancelotti (left) explained that he would like to speak with Brazilian FA president Ednaldo Rodrigues (right)
Rodrigues confirmed that the Real Madrid chief is the obvious choice given his work with Brazilian players Vinicius Jr. and Rodrygo at the Santiago Bernabeu.
“I really admire him for his honesty in the way he works and how consistent his work is. He needs no introduction,” he told Reuters.
“He really is a top coach who has had several successes and we hope he can achieve more.
“Ancelotti is not only the favorite of the players, but also the fans from the looks of it. Everywhere I go in Brazil, in every stadium, he’s the first name the fans ask me about.’
