Real Madrid land new manager with Carlo Ancelotti farewell scheduled for May 25
Real Madrid have agreed a deal to make Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso their new manager, talkSPORT understands. Alonso is expected to head to Madrid this summer after winning a Bundesliga title and DFB-Pokal with Leverkusen in 2024. Alonso won Leverkusen’s first ever Bundesliga titleAFP Current Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti is set to leave Madrid for the second time – with the iconic Italian widely expected to take the Brazil job. Madrid are understood to be planning a grand farewell for their final home game of the season – against Real Sociedad on May 25. Ancelotti delivered two LaLiga titles and two Champions League crowns after joining the club for a second stint as manager in 2021. Alonso’s departure could be announced during Bayer Leverkusen’s final home match of the season – against Borussia Dortmund on Sunday. Last season, Madrid completed the treble as Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior starred. And with the addition of Kylian Mbappe in the summer transfer window, Madrid were expected to sweep every competition they entered. But in reality, Ancelotti’s side have failed to improve or even maintain last campaign’s level. They crashed out of the Champions League in the quarter-finals after being thrashed by Arsenal and their LaLiga hopes are hanging by a thread as Barcelona continue to thrive domestically. A narrow defeat to Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final signalled the end for Ancelotti – who is understood to been given his marching orders in a meeting with Madrid’s hierarchy afterwards. Alonso played for Madrid from 2009 to 2014 where he won the LaLiga, a Champions League and two Spanish Cups. Ancelotti managed Alonso at Real Madrid and Bayern MunichGetty In 2017, the former Liverpool midfielder retired and entered the managerial scene two years later as Real Sociedad B head coach, where he remained until 2022. He returned to Germany that year, but not to Bayern Munich – his last club as a player. Alonso joined Leverkusen in October when the side were in the relegation zone. He was the catalyst behind their ascension to a sixth place finish in the Bundesliga, which earned a Europa League spot for the following campaign. During the 2023/24 season, he implemented a 3-4-3 formation, placing an emphasis on being more comfortable in possession, building long passing sequences, rather than relying on their previous counter attacking style. That season, Leverkusen went undefeated on their way to the Bundesliga title with 28 wins and six draws. while also picking up a German Cup and finishing runners-up in the Europa League. Ancelotti is expected to say goodbye on May 25AFP However, Alonso failed in his title defence as Bayern Munich recently won the league with multiple games to spare. With Trent Alexander-Arnold set to join Madrid, fans will be eager to see how the right-back is implemented. Will Alonso play the England international as a traditional right-back or will he stay truthful to his 3-4-3 formation? Questions also arise when thinking about how the 43-year-old will introduce fluidity in the front three of Mbappe, Vinicius and Rodrygo – who have struggled to mesh previously.
Real Madrid have agreed a deal to make Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso their new manager, talkSPORT understands.
Alonso is expected to head to Madrid this summer after winning a Bundesliga title and DFB-Pokal with Leverkusen in 2024.
Current Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti is set to leave Madrid for the second time – with the iconic Italian widely expected to take the Brazil job.
Madrid are understood to be planning a grand farewell for their final home game of the season – against Real Sociedad on May 25.
Ancelotti delivered two LaLiga titles and two Champions League crowns after joining the club for a second stint as manager in 2021.
Alonso’s departure could be announced during Bayer Leverkusen’s final home match of the season – against Borussia Dortmund on Sunday.
Last season, Madrid completed the treble as Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior starred.
And with the addition of Kylian Mbappe in the summer transfer window, Madrid were expected to sweep every competition they entered.
But in reality, Ancelotti’s side have failed to improve or even maintain last campaign’s level.
They crashed out of the Champions League in the quarter-finals after being thrashed by Arsenal and their LaLiga hopes are hanging by a thread as Barcelona continue to thrive domestically.
A narrow defeat to Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final signalled the end for Ancelotti – who is understood to been given his marching orders in a meeting with Madrid’s hierarchy afterwards.
Alonso played for Madrid from 2009 to 2014 where he won the LaLiga, a Champions League and two Spanish Cups.
In 2017, the former Liverpool midfielder retired and entered the managerial scene two years later as Real Sociedad B head coach, where he remained until 2022.
He returned to Germany that year, but not to Bayern Munich – his last club as a player.
Alonso joined Leverkusen in October when the side were in the relegation zone.
He was the catalyst behind their ascension to a sixth place finish in the Bundesliga, which earned a Europa League spot for the following campaign.
During the 2023/24 season, he implemented a 3-4-3 formation, placing an emphasis on being more comfortable in possession, building long passing sequences, rather than relying on their previous counter attacking style.
That season, Leverkusen went undefeated on their way to the Bundesliga title with 28 wins and six draws. while also picking up a German Cup and finishing runners-up in the Europa League.
However, Alonso failed in his title defence as Bayern Munich recently won the league with multiple games to spare.
With Trent Alexander-Arnold set to join Madrid, fans will be eager to see how the right-back is implemented.
Will Alonso play the England international as a traditional right-back or will he stay truthful to his 3-4-3 formation?
Questions also arise when thinking about how the 43-year-old will introduce fluidity in the front three of Mbappe, Vinicius and Rodrygo – who have struggled to mesh previously.
