Real Madrid might secure an even bigger return than Carlo Ancelotti

Real Madrid have reportedly chosen Carlo Ancelotti as the next manager to replace Zinedine Zidane after rumors started heating up over the past 24 hours.

Antonio Conte was deemed too much of a boat-rocker, while Mauricio Pochettino was impossible due to the delicate relationship between Los Blancos and PSG, complicated further by the expected pursuit of Kylian Mbappe. Meanwhile, Florentino Perez probably didn’t want to go with Raul and put the club legend under too much pressure.

So Ancelotti is the experienced hand, making his second stint at Real Madrid as the man in charge. There are some aspects of the move to like, including the admiration for Ancelotti and the stability he brings. But there are some valid concerns as well, such as the possible lack of new ideas or vigor in a true “Revolution”.

Ancelotti is certainly a headline-maker, but the interesting thing is that he might not even be the return some Madridistas are most hyped about. Because at the end of the day, Ancelotti is “more of the same” and a known commodity than someone shaking up the system in Valdebebas.

Antonio Pintus could be a part of Carlo Ancelotti’s staff at Real Madrid

According to a report from Fabrizio Romano, Antonio Pintus is expected to be a part of the new staff at Real Madrid under Don Carlo, as outlets have been linking Pintus with a return after he left Scudetto winners Inter Milan when Conte did, too.

Pintus worked with Real Madrid as a conditioning coach from 2016 to 2019 and is widely regarded as one of the best in the business. Madridistas have missed him, especially in light of the recent run of injuries.

Is Sanitas fully to blame? No, but it is interesting to note that players like Eden Hazard and Cristiano Ronaldo have looked elsewhere for treatment and medical guidance. And Pintus’ reputation precedes itself. He also had a great time with Inter, earning rave reviews for his methods during Inter’s return to prominence and then 2020-2021 dominance in Serie A.

We’ll see how much Pintus could change and if he is indeed going to officially join Real Madrid. But from the perspective of the fans, Pintus is an asset and a welcome return to the team. Whereas Ancelotti is a stabilizer for the club, Pintus is someone who could change how things are done in a fundamental way as far as training and conditioning go, and he could have a longer tenure in Madrid, perhaps lasting into a potential Raul managerial run.