In brief
After recent subpar performances, Carlo Ancelotti’s future at Real Madrid is in doubt, and there is a sense that he has lost interest in the team.
Jurgen Klopp, Mikel Arteta, and Jose Mourinho are among the top ten possible successors.
Because of his tactical skill and club knowledge, Xabi Alonso stands out as a serious contender.
Carlo Ancelotti’s once-untouchable position at Real Madrid no longer feels as solid, despite the fact that he is still considered one of the best football minds in the world—his five Champions League titles are still unrivalled. Los Blancos have appeared to be recovering from the peak of the previous season.
‘Don Carlo’ appears to be on fumes, much like Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. The characteristic serenity has evolved into something more like to indifference. Although his former Barcelona rival has openly pledged to rekindle the passion and bring City back to its peak with a contract extension, Ancelotti doesn’t appear to have the same intense desire.
Change seems inevitable, especially after the crushing 3-0 loss to Arsenal in the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinal. It may be a self-imposed vacation, a new challenge somewhere, or the Madrid leadership firing him. Who might take Ancelotti’s place at the Bernabeu hot seat if his reign comes to an end? The top ten contenders to guide Los Blancos into their new era have been compiled by us.
10 Managers Most Likely To Replace Carlo Ancelotti
There’s a clear favourite for the position
10. Mourinho, Jose
One of the most dreaded ringmasters in contemporary sport is Jose Mourinho. Even though he only won one La Liga title during his initial taste of the Real Madrid cherry between 2010 and 2013, a comeback could allow him to complete the task he began. However, his flaming propensity for controversy may be the only thing preventing him these days.
Although he has always been a fire starter, he has undoubtedly become a ticking time bomb in recent years following a recent altercation with the Galatasaray management. Is it worth the risk? Even though Real Madrid’s decision-makers may not agree, he is still a possibility.
9. Conte Antonio
Antonio Conte is another Marmite character. The fiery Italian might be the ideal stopgap if Los Blancos value short-term results over long-term growth. His record speaks for itself; in his first season with Chelsea, he won the Premier League and was a four-time Serie A champion.
The sole issue? As seen by his tenures at Chelsea and Tottenham, it is rarely long before the current Napoli manager loses favour with the leadership and leaves.
8. Emery Unai
Unai Emery, a superb man-manager best known for taking Aston Villa to Champions League football and Sevilla to three straight Europa League victories, has put his brief and unimpressive time at Arsenal behind him to demonstrate that he is a man for the big time.
If the leaders of any major team didn’t at least take the 53-year-old into account when draughting their plans, they would be seriously mistaken. It’s hardly surprising that he makes the cut as a possible Ancelotti replacement because he has already guided Villarreal to Europa League success in 2021 and will undoubtedly be among the most sought-after managers if a high position opens up.
7. Arbeloa Alvaro
Alvaro Arbeloa, the current Under-19s manager, might be promoted from within, saving Real Madrid the trouble of scouting spreadsheets and lengthy interviews. He has already made a statement of intent by leading the youth team to a domestic treble in 2022–2023—winning the Copa de Campeones, the Division of Honour Juvenil, and the Copa del Rey Juvenil. His tactical plan is rooted in the traditions of Spanish positional play.
It seems inevitable that Arbeloa will go from the youth bench to a senior dugout, even though his ascent may still be unknown to some. He has the potential to be the next great tactician to come off Spain’s management production line because of his background, presence, and potential.
6. Arteta Mikel
When it comes to Spain’s developing tactical brains, Mikel Arteta is currently the most brilliant. Arteta has progressed from apprentice to architect, having learnt his trade at Pep Guardiola’s team and orchestrated Arsenal’s incredible Premier League comeback, which saw them contend for the championship three times in a row. And just think of the plot twist if he were to replace the Italian at the Bernabeu after orchestrating a spectacular victory over Ancelotti’s Real Madrid.
The ingredients are all there: tactical flair, leadership, and unwavering ambition. Critics may point to his inability to cross the finish line and turn promise into trophies. There is no better place to complete that trophy case than at the most decorated football club, even though the manager of the Gunners may be lacking a few medals.
5. Klopp, Jurgen
Surely he couldn’t? When Jurgen Klopp announced his self-imposed sabbatical last season, Liverpool supporters quickly reminded everyone else that he had completely run out of enthusiasm for football management. Although Klopp has since taken on a new role as Red Bull’s Global Head of Soccer, there are rumours that Los Blancos are planning to call the German.
The potential of ‘The Normal One’ making a shocking comeback is not entirely out of the question. After all, he took over the Anfield hot seat just a few months after leaving Borussia Dortmund. It does not appear likely that he will accept an offer to relocate to the capital of Spain, nevertheless, since he is still in the early stages of a new adventure.
4. Zidane Zinedine
Zinedine Zidane won the Super Cup and the Club World Cup twice each, won La Liga and the Supercopa de Espana, and became the first coach to win the Champions League three times in a row in his first two and a half seasons. The Frenchman won Best FIFA Men’s Coach in 2017 as a result of his achievements.
After leaving in 2018, he returned in 2021 to win another La Liga title and a Supercopa de Espana championship, capping a management career in which he won 66% of his 301 games. This summer, is it possible that history will repeat itself a third time? The romantics in football will be hoping so.
3. Iraola Andoni
Bournemouth overtook former manager Eddie Howe with their highest-ever Premier League point total last time out, demonstrating that a hard-working style of play and the belief Andoni Iraola instilled in his players were the keys to success at the Vitality Stadium.
The Spaniard is presently one of the bookies’ favourites to succeed Ancelotti, but it is unclear how successfully he can operate with a bigger transfer budget. Given how inexperienced the former Rayo Vallecano manager is, it could seem like a bit of a gamble, but a few moments from this season demonstrate how brilliantly he sets up his teams despite limitations and injuries.
2. Inzaghi Simone
Since Simone Inzaghi is a seasoned manager at the highest level, it would be logical for Real Madrid’s management to see the benefits of luring the Italian from Inter Milan. Twelve months after leading the Nerazzurri to a Champions League final, he won the Serie A title in the 2023–2024 season.
Inzaghi has established himself as one of the most tactically flexible managers in football, managing moments as much as he controls games. This fits Los Blancos perfectly because, regardless of their performance, they frequently manage to win the largest rewards. This is the most logical decision among the managers on this list.
1. Alonso Xabi
Xabi Alonso, a former Real Madrid midfielder, has led Bayer Leverkusen to an unbeatable German league victory last season and has only lost nine times in 88 Bundesliga games as the team’s mastermind. They only lost to Atalanta in the Europa League final throughout all competitions.
It became evident that more than simply Alonso’s coaching skills matched Real Madrid’s vision as many began to perceive his strategies and values as a natural fit for the club’s possible opening. Alonso knows the Bernabeu like the back of his hand. His calm manner and sense of style also suited the role. Although it’s unclear if a chartered jet to Madrid will be part of the plan this summer or later, many believed he signed a new contract last summer in the hopes that the Real job would become available soon. He is one of the coolest men in football.
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