Real Madrid is preparing for a massive change at the helm. Carlo Ancelotti will close his remarkable chapter at the club on May 25, making way for Xabi Alonso to begin a new era at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Ancelotti's time at Madrid has been nothing short of legendary. The Italian has secured 15 trophies, including three Champions Leagues and two La Liga titles. This incredible haul surpasses even the iconic Miguel Muñoz's record at the club.
Both the club and Ancelotti have agreed to part ways after this season. The decision came after their Champions League tie against Arsenal, when both parties felt it was the right time for a change. Until then, Madrid had been quietly exploring options, with Xabi Alonso always at the top of their list.
Xabi Alonso: From Madrid Player to Manager
Alonso is set to sign a three-year contract with Los Blancos. He knows the club inside out, having left their coaching setup in 2019 to pursue his managerial career. His credentials are impressive - just look at what he's done at Bayer Leverkusen.
The Spaniard led Leverkusen to their first-ever Bundesliga title this season, breaking Bayern Munich's 11-year stranglehold on German football. He also added the German Cup to complete a historic double with the club.
Alonso won't be coming alone. Sebas Parrilla, who worked with him at Madrid's youth setup, will join as part of his coaching team. Alberto Encinas will handle fitness training, potentially replacing Antonio Pintus, whose future at the club remains uncertain.
No Revolution, Just Evolution
Don't expect a complete squad overhaul when Alonso arrives. The club believes no revolution is necessary for a team that has been so successful in recent years. Instead, they're looking for better performances from key players like Vinicius and the incoming Kylian Mbappé.
Real Madrid has already secured Trent Alexander-Arnold and is looking at defensive reinforcements. A center-back (with Huijsen as the main candidate) and a midfielder are on the shopping list to strengthen Alonso's squad.
The timing creates some challenges, as Real Madrid will participate in the Club World Cup shortly after Ancelotti's departure. Santiago Solari might serve as a bridge until Alonso formally takes over after the tournament.
For bettors looking ahead to next season, this transition could present interesting opportunities. Alonso's tactical approach at Leverkusen featured high pressing and fluid attacking movements - quite different from Ancelotti's more pragmatic style. This could affect Real Madrid's performance patterns in the early part of the 2024/25 campaign.
The German club will receive compensation for releasing Alonso from his contract a year early. Fortunately, the two clubs maintain excellent relations, as evidenced by previous transfers involving youth players Iker Bravo and Melvin Ukpeigbe.
