Real Madrid are once again engaged in a debate regarding the future of Carlo Ancelotti, an issue that could potentially be resolved in the short term. The defeat in the Spanish Super Cup final against Barcelona has reignited some long-standing discussions about the Italian coach’s continuity, particularly given the lack of tactical solutions in …
Neither Xabi Alonso nor Zidane: Surprise coach to take over Real Madrid if Ancelotti fails in upcoming matches.
Real Madrid are once again engaged in a debate regarding the future of Carlo Ancelotti, an issue that could potentially be resolved in the short term.
The defeat in the Spanish Super Cup final against Barcelona has reignited some long-standing discussions about the Italian coach’s continuity, particularly given the lack of tactical solutions in the second loss to the Catalan team.
The options available to the Real Madrid board, led by Florentino Pérez, appear to be limited in the event that Ancelotti is dismissed. One of the most discussed names in this context is Zinedine Zidane, whose future with the French national team seems to be secure until mid-2026, making him an option currently out of reach for the club.
If Zidane is ruled out, Xabi Alonso emerges as a potential replacement. The current manager of Bayer Leverkusen will be available after a season and a half, which coincides with the expiration of Ancelotti’s contract with Real Madrid.
All indications, even before this debate about the team’s coach began, suggest that the Madrid hierarchy has already identified Xabi Alonso as the ideal candidate to lead the club’s sporting project moving forward. However, securing his services before the summer of 2026 would be practically impossible. To navigate this obstacle, reports suggest that another name is already being considered within the Valdebebas offices.
According to the newspaper “Relevo”, Santiago Solari is the top choice in the event Ancelotti is dismissed before the end of his contract. The Argentine coach, who briefly took over the team during the 2018/19 season, returned to Real Madrid two years ago as sporting director.
Since then, he has worked as a liaison between the first team and the “La Fábrica” academy, where he has closely followed the club’s most promising talents. His experience as a coach will be valuable for the club’s management during this transitional period, at least until a permanent coach is appointed.
With Solari potentially stepping in as interim coach, Real Madrid continue to prepare for the possibility of hiring a permanent replacement for Ancelotti, whether in the coming weeks or by the summer of 2026. Despite all these speculations, reports from Valdebebas suggest that there is currently a sense of complete calm at the club