Real Madrid are reportedly keen on appointing 42-year-old Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso as their next head coach.
Xabi Alonso has been linked with Manchester City as well, but reputed German journalist Florian Plettenberg has claimed that Real Madrid are leading the race for his signature.
Alonso is regarded as one of the finest young managers in European football right now. He did an exceptional job with Bayer Leverkusen last season, helping them win the Bundesliga title. The 42-year-old was linked with clubs like Liverpool in recent months as well. However, the Premier League giants ended up appointing Arne Slot as the club’s next manager.
It will be interesting to see if Real Madrid can win the race for his signature. The 42-year-old will be tempted to return to his former club. The Spaniard was a key player for them during his playing days, and he helped them win major trophies. Alonso will now want to succeed as a manager at the Spanish club.
Carlo Ancelotti has been linked with a move away from Real Madrid in recent weeks. If the Italian is shown the door in the near future, Xabi Alonso could be a quality replacement. He has shown that he has the tactical acumen and the winning mentality to manage at a big club, and Real Madrid are certainly one of the biggest around.
Manchester City eyeing Alonso as Pep Guardiola replacement
Manchester City are planning for a future after Pep Guardiola, and Xabi Alonso features in it. The Spanish manager could leave the club in the near future, and Manchester City were hoping to appoint alone so as his replacement.
It remains to be seen whether they can convince the Spaniard to turn down a move to Real Madrid and join them instead. The 42-year-old will want to join a club capable of winning major trophies, and both Real Madrid and Manchester City will be attractive destinations for him.
Both clubs have an impressive structure in place needed to win major trophies. They have world-class squads as well. It remains to be seen what Alonso decides in the coming months. The urge to return to his former club and his homeland could give Real Madrid a major advantage in the race to secure his signature.
