Xabi Alonso ‘will replace Brazil-bound Carlo Ancelotti as Real Madrid boss next season’ after impressing in his first year as Bayer Leverkusen coach

According to reports in Spain, Xabi Alonso has been tipped to replace Carlo Ancelotti as Real Madrid coach from next season.

The Liverpool legend has been first-team manager for less than a year after taking over Bayer Leverkusen last October, having previously managed Real Sociedad’s B team for three years.

According to Radio MARCAReal’s hierarchy are unconcerned about Alonso’s lack of managerial experience and have preferred the 41-year-old to be Ancelotti’s successor.

Alonso, a two-time European champion with Spain, spent six seasons as a player at the Santiago Bernabeu, winning LaLiga in 2012 and then the Champions League two years later during Ancelotti’s first spell at the club.

The 2010 World Cup winner retired from Bayern Munich after three seasons and managed Real’s youth team before taking over Real Sociedad’s B side.

The Italian’s contract at the Santiago Bernabeu expires at the end of the current season

In October last year, Alonso replaced Gerardo Seoane at Leverkusen, with the team finishing second from bottom after eight games in the Bundesliga.

The Spaniard, who spent five seasons at Anfield, made an immediate impression and guided Leverkusen to sixth place in the Bundesliga and to the semi-finals of the Europa League.

Leverkusen has started the season excellently and only leaves champions Bayern Munich behind on goal difference with 13 points from the first five games.

Alonso attracted interest from Tottenham before they appointed Ange Postecoglou, but he committed to Leverkusen and signed a three-year extension in August, running until the end of the 2025/26 season.

Ancelotti is expected to resign when his contract expires at the end of the season.

Brazilian Football Federation (CBF) president Ednaldo Rodrigues said this in July Ancelotti would lead the national team at next year’s Copa America.

Fernando Diniz signed a one-year contract as interim manager while simultaneously coaching Fluminense.

“Philosophy, not constantly changing,” Rodrigues said in July. ‘He (Diniz) always had the same method… He is a coach whose ideas are similar to the coach who will take charge in the Copa America, Ancelotti.

“I think they have pretty much the same tactics and philosophy.”

The former Chelsea boss won LaLiga in 2022 and lifted his second Champions League trophy with the club in the same season, along with the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup.

Last season, Real won the Spanish Cup but finished 10 points behind champions Barcelona in LaLiga and were beaten 5-1 by Manchester City in the Champions League semi-finals.

With 15 points in six games, Real are one point ahead of leaders Barcelona and Girona after their perfect record in the league came to an end with a 3-1 defeat to city rivals Atletico Madrid on Sunday evening.