41-year-old Spanish manager Xabi Alonso is eager to replace Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid amid rival interest from PSG.
According to a report by French outlet RMC Sport, Xabi Alonso is the subject of interest from PSG. The Ligue 1 champions want to part ways with Christophe Galtier at the end of the 2022/23 season. But Alonso does not want to move to Parc des Princes as he is keen on replacing Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid.
Xabi Alonso is one of the most well-known midfielders of his generation after enjoying considerable success in his playing days. The Spaniard represented high-profile clubs like Liverpool, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich, winning numerous trophies with them. And after calling it a day in 2017, he stepped into the managerial world.
The 41-year-old cut his teeth with Real Sociedad’s reserve side between 2019 and 2022 before joining Bayer Leverkusen last year. And Alonso’s maiden experience with a first-team has been superb, even though Die Werkself will not play UEFA Champions League football next season. Nonetheless, his progress has captured the attention of Real Madrid and PSG.
At Real Madrid, Carlo Ancelotti’s long-term future is uncertain after a season that ended with just the Copa del Rey. In addition, with the Brazilian national team eager to have the Italian tactician as the next head coach, it is unclear who will be at the helm at the Santiago Bernabeu next season. Several managers, including Massimiliano Allegri, have thus emerged on Real Madrid’s radar.
Xabi Alonso and the Leverkusen players go right along the Ultras in the Nordkurve for high fives despite their defeat. pic.twitter.com/hd3IaLFTLW
— Archie Rhind-Tutt (@archiert1) May 18, 2023
But Xabi Alonso is also a viable target for the Spanish club. And the report by RMC Sport claims that the 41-year-old highly-rated manager wants to replace Ancelotti at Real Madrid. Such a development has come as a blow to PSG, who wanted the Spaniard to replace Christophe Galtier.
The reigning Ligue 1 champions have defended their title but failed to win any other trophy this season. In particular, yet another failure in the UEFA Champions League has left the PSG owners aggrieved. So Christophe Galtier is on thin ice at Parc des Princes. But with Alonso keen on joining Real Madrid, Les Parisiens must set their sights elsewhere.
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PSG’s shortlist also has other sought-after names like Jose Mourinho and Thiago Motta. And it will be interesting to see who replaces Galtier at the helm at Parc des Princes. Meanwhile, Alonso might have to wait a year before joining Real Madrid if Ancelotti decides to snub Brazil and continue at the Bernabeu.
