The Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid saga continues to loom, with Fabrizio Romano recently dropping a huge update on the matter.
Real Madrid have not hit their usual heights this season. Currently, they are top of La Liga table but by only two points and in the Champions League, they are struggling in 20th. Recently, they also lost the Supercopa final in embarrassing fashion to Barcelona.
At the beginning of the season, it didn't look like this would be the case. Indeed, there was plenty of excitement surrounding Real Madrid, mostly to do with their new signings.
Kylian Mbappe was the standout arrival in the summer but Endrick also brought with him excitement. The former has only just returned to his best, whereas the latter is hardly given a look-in under Carlo Ancelotti.
So, there are some theories circulating online that Carlo Ancelotti is managing his final season in the Santiago Bernabeu dugout. This is despite being under contract until 2026.
Fabrizio Romano drops a huge Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid update
According to a recent update from Fabrizio Romano, Xabi Alonso has spoken about the links back to Real Madrid. While Alonso claimed to still love Real Madrid, he insisted that right now he is focused on Bayer Leverkusen.
In his own words, Alonso said: “Already questions on Real Madrid?! [laughs] Time goes by but the affection remains. Our bond is very strong, that is clear but my total focus is on Bayer Leverkusen now, that’s in my mind”.
Furthermore, Romano added on that if Carlo Ancelotti were to leave Real Madrid, Xabi Alonso is the favourite to replace him. This is because club president (recently extended) Florentino Perez rates the Real Madrid legend highly.
In case Carlo Ancelotti leaves Real Madrid, Xabi Alonso is the favorite to take over because Florentino Pérez rates him highly.
— Madrid Universal (@MadridUniversal) January 20, 2025
— @FabrizioRomano pic.twitter.com/WTEbNySp21
Xabi Alonso has obviously achieved incredible things with Bayer Leverkusen. Nobody would have expected them to win the Bundesliga title last season with their young squad and manager, let alone do it while not losing a single game.
Alonso is a club legend at Real Madrid and the club is known to value their alumni when making big decisions such as managerial appointments. Xabi Alonso certainly wouldn't be the first former player to manage Real Madrid and he likely won't the last either.
That said, the ambition would be to make Alonso a long-term managerial appointment. Age is certainly on his side and he would receive the backing from Florentino Perez and the players who respect him.