Xabi Alonso decision puts Real Madrid return in doubt

As we head into the 2023/24 campaign, it is looking more and more likely to be Carlo Ancelotti’s final season in charge of Real Madrid. Rumours suggest that the Italian is set to be appointed the new manager of the Brazil national team next summer. He has achieved everything at the club level but has never managed an international team over his storied career.

Ancelotti had a very successful first season back at Real Madrid, winning the La Liga and Champions League double. However, the previous campaign was lacklustre in comparison. The team played very inconsistently in the league and were knocked out of the Champions League in disappointing fashion. although they succeeded in winning the Copa del Rey.

Real Madrid will have to find a new manager after the conclusion of the 2023/24 season if Ancelotti was to indeed leave at that point. However, Los Blancos might have already been dealt a blow in that regard.

As tweeted out by Fabrizio Romano, Xabi Alonso has signed a new long-term deal as Bayer Leverkusen head coach. It will be valid until June 2026.

Alonso decision puts Real Madrid return in doubt

Rumours had broken out recently that Alonso was the preferred successor to Ancelotti at Real Madrid. The Spaniard has worked wonders since taking over at Bayer Leverkusen in October of last year, helping them finish 6th in the Bundesliga and guiding them to the semi-finals of the UEFA Europa League. When he arrived, a relegation struggle had been looking like a real possibility.

Real Madrid fans have been impressed with Alonso’s work in his first season at Bayer Leverkusen. And many view him as the ideal manager to replace Ancelotti next season. His decision to sign a long-term extension at this point in time puts that into doubt though.

The Spaniard has been making his mark in the Bundesliga having put on many impressive tactical displays over the past ten months. Some would argue it is too early to hand Alonso the Real Madrid job, but we have seen what the likes of Zinedine Zidane achieved in the past despite having limited managerial experience.