Real Madrid is set to begin their search for a new manager to replace Carlo Ancelotti in 2024/25 season.
Real Madrid’s current boss, Carlo Ancelotti, has agreed to leave the Spanish capital to take over Brazilian national team job in summer 2024. The Italian manager will be the first foreign manager to lead the Selecao in a major tournament since 1925. He is set to take charge Vinicius Jr and Co in Copa America 2024, which will be held in USA. Previous foreign coaches for the Brazilian national team in the past only guided them in less than two months.
In the meantime, Los Blancos are initiating their hunt for his replacement. A year of searching would benefit the team because they would not be rushed to review the shortlisted profiles. There have been five names mentioned in the media; three of them are former players, while the other two are highly regarded German managers. Who are the most likely, and what are the chances for the rest?
Real Madrid’s Search for Their New Boss Begins
Xabi Alonso
The current Bayer Leverkusen boss is considered the favorite to take charge at the Bernabeu next season. He made an impressive debut in managerial career at the top level by leading the Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen to finish sixth and seal one spot in the Europa League. Alonso’s men also managed to progress to the Europa League semifinal in the 2022/23 campaign before suffering a narrow defeat to AS Roma, whose manager is his former boss in Madrid during his playing career, Jose Mourinho.
Despite his initial interest to be at the helm of Los Blancos, there has been no confirmation from Leverkusen or Xabi himself, except the fact that he focuses on his work in BayArena. The Bundesliga club hopes that the Spaniard will stay and continue his project there.
Raul Gonzales
The former Real Madrid forward from mid 1990s to mid 2000s is the next favorite to take over Carlo Ancelotti’s post. Raul is currently the head coach of Real Madrid B or widely known as Real Madrid Castilla, in which he has been working since 2019. The team is competing in Premiera Federacion or the Spanish third tier.
Last season, Raul’s side missed out the promotion to the Segunda Division after losing in the promotion playoff. Sergio Arribas and Co. were unable to beat Eldense in a tight two-legged fixtures.
Alvaro Arbeloa
Another candidate from their internal system is Alvaro Arbeloa. The former full back in Real Madrid during Jose Mourinho’s and Carlo Ancelotti’s reign is currently the head coach in Real Madrid Juvenil A or U19 team. He used to play for Liverpool as well under Rafael Benitez’s tutelage.
Jurgen Klopp
The foreign favorite to replace Ancelotti is Liverpool boss, Jurgen Klopp. He has been in his seventh year with The Reds and things have seemingly gone downward for the German gaffer. Virgil Van Dijk and Co. have to play in the Europa League in the 2023/24 campaign for the first time in seven years. Should he fail to revive his team again, the former Dortmund boss can be lured to move to Bernabeu and employ his ‘gegenpressing’ to Vinicius Jr and Co.
However, Klopp is not the manager who could be easily persuaded for a big move or even big money transfer. He would prefer a team with a strong identity to challenge the major force rather than the dominating giant, which in a way shares the same trait as Bayern Munich. It was an offer which Klopp once gladly turned down.
Julian Nagelsmann
When it comes to an easy choice, Julian Nagelsmann might be the perfect one. He is currently unattached after parting ways with Bayern and has been dubbed the best young talented manager in Europe. At first glance, he appears to be an ideal successor for Ancelotti. Nevertheless, given his age and lack of man management, particularly when dealing with the club’s big stars, he might not be the priority target. Nagelsmann’s stint in Bayern was the solid proof how he was unable to handle senior key figures like Robert Lewandowski and Manuel Neuer.
Nagelsmann is also known for his preference to rotate the squad and switch formations, which could be an issue in Madrid. The former Hoffenheim and RB Leipzig boss would prefer to have more control in signing players. Such can result in a disagreement or even worse, a clash with Florentino Perez and the board. His silverware collection is not something to be proud of either. The 35-year-old manager has only won one major trophy, Bundesliga 2021/22 with Die Roten.