Real Madrid reportedly expect Xabi Alonso to replace Carlo Ancelotti as manager come the end of the season.
Ancelotti is currently in his second stint at the Bernabeu and has won two Champions League titles, as well as one LaLiga crown, since his big comeback in 2021.
Real have, however, endured a nightmare week after losing 4-0 to Barcelona in El Clasico last weekend.
Vinicius Jr then proceeded to miss out on the Ballon d’Or award, with Manchester City midfielder Rodri scooping that prize instead.
Real Madrid could offer Carlo Ancelotti a different role amid the expectancy that he’ll leave the Bernabeu at the end of the season
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While Real won LaLiga, the Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup and Spanish Super Cup last year, Ancelotti is currently a man under pressure.
They currently trail Barcelona by six points and big players such as Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe have struggled for consistency so far this term.
And Spanish outlet Revelo say senior figures at Real expect Alonso, who previously spent five years at the club between 2009 and 2014, to take over next summer.
The 42-year-old was linked with Liverpool earlier in the year following Jurgen Klopp’s departure.
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But Alonso didn’t want to leave Bayer Leverkusen, having guided the club to Bundesliga glory last season.
When it comes to Real, however, the prospect of taking charge of the biggest club in the world will likely appeal to the former midfielder.
The report says that Leverkusen also believe Alonso will depart at the end of the season.
And while Real are in no rush to get rid of Ancelotti, club president Florentino Perez will reportedly offer the 65-year-old a role upstairs once his time as manager ends.
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It is likely to be an ambassadorial role that is offered to the former Chelsea, Everton and AC Milan manager.
Ancelotti was a big success during his first stint in charge, with Real winning the Champions League in 2014.
They had gone 10 years without the prestigious trophy, with Barcelona dominating both Spanish and world football during that time.
Ancelotti was, however, ruthlessly axed in 2015 after missing out on LaLiga glory.
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Real Madrid reportedly expect Xabi Alonso to replace Carlo Ancelotti as manager come the end of the season
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Real decided to bring him back in 2021 after Zinedine Zidane opted to depart for a second time.
And though they’ve endured a difficult week, Ancelotti will be confident of securing more silverware given the amount of quality at his disposal.
Speaking earlier in the year, meanwhile, Ancelotti expressed a belief that the Real job is likely his last in management.
And he also said he had no interest in managing a national side, too.
Real Madrid have dominated Spanish football under Carlo Ancelotti in recent years
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He said: “My idea is that Real Madrid will be my last club.
“At the moment I am not excited about coaching a national team because I would miss what I like most, the day-to-day work with the players and the staff.”