THAT'S YER LOTTI
Real Madrid make decision over next manager as pressure grows on Carlo Ancelotti
There are also plenty of options should Real need an interim for remainder of season
REAL MADRID have reportedly decided who they want to replace Carlo Ancelotti as their next permanent manager.
The Italian gaffer led his Spanish side to a league and European double last season, with Vinicius Jr and Jude Bellingham leading the way.
Real’s incredible free signing of Kylian Mbappe from Paris Saint-Germain this summer only appeared to cement their status as world football’s top club.
But Los Blancos have struggled to replicate last season’s form this term.
They are already NINE POINTS behind league leaders Barcelona, who won last month’s Clasico at the Bernabeu 4-0.
Bellingham and Vinicius aren’t hitting the target as regularly, with the latter also missing out on the Ballon d’Or.
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While Mbappe is yet to deliver the return expected from a player of his calibre.
Real have also lost two of their four Champions League group stage games, with AC Milan’s 3-1 win in Madrid on Tuesday piling the pressure on Ancelotti.
And the Italian gaffer’s future is now under the spotlight.
Indeed, claims Real are already exploring their options should results get even worse.
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Several names have been touted as interim gaffers, including Real’s sporting director Santiago Solari, club legend and B team manager Raul and academy boss Alvaro Arbeloa.
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It’s also reckoned Zinedine Zidane could be interested in a temporary return to the Bernabeu in what would be a third managerial spell.
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While Liverpool icon Jurgen Klopp, now Head of Global Soccer at Red Bull, is also mentioned as an unlikely candidate.
However, Real chiefs are reportedly unanimous in who they want as their next full-time boss from the summer of 2025.
It’s widely expected that even if he clings on to his job, Ancelotti will not last past the end of the campaign.
And it’s claimed that Real will then move to make Bayer Leverkusen hero and former star Xabi Alonso their new permanent gaffer.
He played 236 times in five seasons for Los Blancos between 2009 and 2014, winning a title and Champions League in the process.
Alonso rejected a return to Liverpool over the summer, sparking speculation of a pre-agreement with Real.
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And it now appears likely that he will indeed be returning to the Bernabeu regardless of whether Leverkusen successfully defend their Bundesliga title or not.
But it’s not all bad news for Ancelotti, who is widely expected to take the Brazil job should fellow target Pep Guardiola remain at Man City.
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