The Hard Tackle lists three potential replacements for Carlo Ancelotti, with the Italian tactician walking a slippery slope at Real Madrid.
Carlo Ancelotti returned to Real Madrid ahead of the 2021/22 season, ditching his Everton project midways to do so. But the Italian tactician had several sceptics doubting his ability to restore the Merengues to their pomp. However, the experienced manager proved the naysayers wrong as Real Madrid won La Liga and the UEFA Champions League.
However, this term, things have not been anywhere near as hunky-dory as the 2021/22 campaign. And the reigning La Liga champions are risking ending the ongoing season without a trophy. The race in La Liga is seemingly beyond Los Blancos, with Barcelona 12 points ahead.
Winning the Copa del Rey is also a tall order, with Barcelona holding a one-goal lead in the semi-finals. So the UEFA Champions League is Ancelotti’s best route to deliver a trophy to Real Madrid this season. But the Merengues face Chelsea in the quarter-finals before going up against the winner of the tie between Manchester City and Bayern Munich in the next stage.
So it is safe to say that Ancelotti is walking a slippery slope at Real Madrid. And widespread reports have linked Los Blancos with a gamut of managers in the last few weeks. Meanwhile, the 63-year-old is also a target for the Brazilian national side. With that in mind, The Hard Tackle lists three potential candidates to replace Ancelotti if he leaves Real Madrid.
Luciano Spalletti
Our list begins with a manager who, unlikely Carlo Ancelotti and Real Madrid, will likely win a top-five league title this season. We are talking about Luciano Spalletti, who has reinvented Napoli in the last few years.
The 64-year-old has been the Serie A Manager of the Year twice but has never won the Scudetto. And the only time he lifted a top-flight trophy was for two seasons with Zenit St. Petersburg. But Spalletti is finally on the verge of reaching the pinnacle of his managerial career, with Napoli on course to win the league.
The Italian tactician has come into his own, rebranding his tactical philosophy. And under his tutelage, he has overseen Napoli playing some of the most pleasantly eye-catching brands of football. So it is hardly surprising that Spalletti is a target for Chelsea and Tottenham.
But Real Madrid should pounce and replace Ancelotti with his compatriot if the Italian leaves in the coming months. And considering there will only be a short-term project at the Bernabeu, going for Spalletti’s signature will be wise.
Julian Nagelsmann
The following two names on our list do a complete 180 when it comes to the age profile of the managers. First up, we have picked a tactician who has recently become a free agent. We are, of course, talking about Julian Nagelsmann.
The German tactician is one of the best young managers in the game after cutting his teeth in the Bundesliga. The youngster started at TSG Hoffenheim before moving to RB Leipzig. But his most recent run came at Bayern Munich, where he won the Bundesliga last season.
But Bayern Munich surprisingly decided to part ways with Nagelsmann last week. So the 35-year-old is now one of the most highly sought-after managers in the world. That brings Real Madrid into the equation as they seek a replacement for Carlo Ancelotti.
The former Bayern Munich boss will bring fresh ideas to the table and potentially offer longevity at the helm of the Bernabeu. But Real Madrid will face stiff competition from Chelsea and Tottenham for the young manager. However, the prospect of managing Real Madrid might turn Nagelsmann’s head.
Xabi Alonso
Our list ends with a manager who enjoyed a successful stint with Real Madrid as a player. And he is currently one of the best tacticians in the Bundesliga following his move to Bayer Leverkusen. We are talking about Xabi Alonso.
The Spaniard was a manager’s delight during his time as a footballer at clubs like Liverpool, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich. And after learning the ropes with mere observation under managers like Rafael Benitez, Jose Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti, and Pep Guardiola, he has moulded his playing style appropriately.
Alonso is thus a tactically aware manager who can dish out teams that can defend with numbers while also playing an eye-catching brand of football. That bodes well for a club like Real Madrid, where fans demand beautiful playing styles while being astute off the ball.
In addition, the Merengues have a history of appointing managers who have emerged from the system. Zinedine Zidane was a benefactor of the outlook, while Raul Gonzalez is a candidate to be the Real Madrid manager in future. So it will not be surprising if Alonso returns to Real Madrid amid the scouting job by Los Blancos.
