Real Madrid’s priority managerial candidate likely to join this summer – report | OneFootball

Rumours of Carlo Ancelotti’s potential departure at the end of the season sparked serious conversations over the managerial position at Real Madrid last month. Xabi Alonso, as always, was seen as the prime candidate to take over.

Having guided Bayer Leverkusen to Bundesliga glory just under a year ago, Florentino Perez sees Alonso to be the perfect candidate to take over the reins after Ancelotti.

The only unclear clause, however, is when the change of hand will take place for it not only involves the Italian coach’s departure but the timely availability of his successor.

A chance this summer

As relayed in a recent update by BILD (h/t The Madrid Zone), Alonso may well be on his way to the Santiago Bernabeu as early as this year.

The German outlet confirm that there are increasing signs to indicate that the Leverkusen manager is getting closer to a move to Spain this summer, indicating that these could be the final months on the sidelines for Ancelotti.

Xabi Alonoso could be on his way to Real Madrid. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

After all, Alonso himself admitted that he shares a close bond with the club and the Real Madrid hierarchy in a recent interview and did not refute the possibility of him joining Los Blancos.

Nevertheless, he did insist that he was focused on Bayer Leverkusen at the moment.

“Time goes by but the affection remains. Our bond is very strong, that is clear but my total focus is on Bayer Leverkusen now, that’s in my mind,” he said.

Alonso’s current managerial contract with the Bundesliga side runs until the summer of 2026, exactly the time when Ancelotti’s deal with Real Madrid ends. Both parties, however, could cut their deals short this summer.

A lot, however, will depend on how the second half of the season goes for the current Real Madrid manager. Should Los Blancos keep up the fire and do well in La Liga and the UEFA Champions League, a renewal cannot be ruled out.