Xabi Alonso's agent breaks silence amid rumors of replacing Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid
Xabi Alonso’s agent, Inaki Ibanez, has clarified the rumors surrounding his client's possible move from Bayer Leverkusen to Real Madrid to replace Carlo Ancelotti. Ibanez said he and Alonso never talked to Los Blancos last season and are yet to do the same this season.
Xabi Alonso has been on Real Madrid’s radar for a while. He plied his trade as a player at Santiago Bernabeu between 2009 and 2014. Recent reports have claimed that the Spaniard will leave Bayer Leverkusen next summer to replace Carlo Ancelotti.
Alonso’s impact at Leverkusen hasn’t gone unnoticed as he drove the Bundesliga club to unprecedented heights as they won a historic double last season. They won the league title and the DFB-Pokal without losing a single game. It is perhaps unsurprising that a European heavyweight like Madrid are monitoring Alonso following his achievements at Leverkusen.
However, agent Ibanez has broken his silence on the rumors linking the Bayer Leverkusen manager to the Spanish capital. He said (via Managing Madrid);
“We never talked to Real Madrid last season and the same can be said this year."
Carlo Ancelotti’s future at Santiago Bernabeu is reportedly uncertain following his team’s poor run of form of late. As per Relevo, Los Blancos’ hierarchy have not ruled out the possibility of sacking Ancelotti if the bad streak continues.
The report further claims that Madrid’s board does not intend to part ways with Ancelotti in mid-season. He is backed by influential figures within the club's hierarchy, but poor results are forcing the management to reconsider their stance. They recently lost 4-0 against Barcelona and 3-1 against AC Milan, both at home.
Florentino Perez tips Xabi Alonso to replace Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid – Reports
In another report, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has identified Xabi Alonso as a potential candidate to succeed Carlo Ancelotti as manager. Perez holds the Spaniard in high regard for his coaching abilities and values his significant contributions to the club during his playing career.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Alonso is Perez's favorite candidate to take over the reins at Real Madrid should they decide to part ways with Carlo Ancelotti. Perez believes that Alonso has everything required of a coach and that his style is the perfect style for Los Blancos.
While Alonso’s contract with Leverkusen will expire in 2026, he is expected to decide his future at the end of this season. As per Romano, Leverkusen are aware internally of the strong interest from the Los Blancos and the appreciation of Perez for their manager.