Real Madrid are reportedly considering parting ways with their veteran manager Carlo Ancelotti, as club president Florentino Perez looks to steady the ship following their recent 4-0 loss to Barcelona, Soccernet.football understands.
Ancelotti, a respected figure in Madrid’s history, returned to the club in 2021 after an initial stint from 2013 to 2015. During his second spell, he guided Real to two La Liga titles and two UEFA Champions League victories.
However, Saturday’s heavy defeat against Barcelona appears to have intensified scrutiny of Ancelotti’s position.
Despite fielding star names like Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham, and Vinicius Jr., Madrid were unable to match the intensity of a Barcelona side led by Hansi Flick, leaving Real’s leadership disheartened.
Reports from the Spanish outlet Sport reveal that Perez is particularly dissatisfied with Ancelotti’s approach in these early months of the season.
The Madrid president has reportedly begun exploring alternative managerial options, with former Real player and current Bayer Leverkusen head coach Xabi Alonso emerging as a prime candidate.
Alonso, who has impressed since taking over at Leverkusen, could leave his current position in 2025 due to a clause in his contract, which allows him to depart unilaterally from that summer. Real Madrid are keen on seizing this opportunity should they decide a managerial change is in order.
Interestingly, Manchester City are also thought to be eyeing Alonso as a possible successor to Pep Guardiola, should the Catalan coach choose to step down.
This potential competition could influence Real Madrid’s timing if they indeed move forward with replacing Ancelotti.