Real Madrid reportedly viewed Xabi Alonso’s decision to stay at Bayer Leverkusen as good news for their long-term plan.
Alonso, 42, has overseen a revolution since taking over at Leverkusen in October 2022, transforming them from relegation candidates into champions elect.
This campaign, they are 13 points clear of Bayern at the top of the Bundesliga, unbeaten all season, and into the last eight of the Europa League for a second year running.
Alonso had been widely tipped to succeed both Thomas Tuchel at Bayern and Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool, but on Friday the former Spain midfielder announced his intention to stay in his role for next season.
Real Madrid have reportedly welcomed Xabi Alonso’s decision to stay at Bayer Leverkusen
Alonso has gained major plaudits for his role in transforming Leverkusen into champions elect
Real view Alonso as the ideal candidate to succeed Carlo Ancelotti when his deal ends in 2026
And, according to Spanish outlet Relevo, that decision was followed closely by those at Real Madrid, with Los Blancos president Florentino Perez wanting Alonso to be the club’s next manager.
Carlo Ancelotti is currently in his second spell at the Bernabeu and continues to impress, with the Italian signing a new deal until 2026 back in December.
And the report claims Perez wants Alonso to succeed Ancelotti, with the 77-year-old believing he has the ideal profile to lead Real’s new generation of young stars, while also maintaining the glamour of Real as a club.
His status as a former player, where he made 236 appearances during a six-year spell, is another tick in his book, as are his modern coaching methods but similarly traditional outlook on the game.
The report goes onto claim Alonso could even replace Ancelotti at the end of next season, which would be a year ahead of schedule.
However, it also reports that while Alonso is the overwhelming favourite, things are never that simple at the Bernabeu.
Despite a positive campaign where Real are set to regain the LaLiga title and remain in the Champions League, a poor ending to the season could see Ancelotti come under fire.
Meanwhile, given his history with the club on the pitch and in the dugout, Zinedine Zidane is always viewed as an option for Real.
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez believes Alonso has the ideal profile to lead the club
Alonso’s modern methods, coupled with his status as a former Real player all work in his favour
However, one source insisted they would be shocked if Alonso does not end up at his former club as they told Relevo: ‘Florentino (Perez) is pragmatic, when he feels he needs Xabi, he will go for him.’
Speaking after committing his future to Leverkusen on Friday, Alonso said: ‘There has been a lot of speculation around my future, we have been busy and focused and I wanted the international break to reflect a bit better.
‘I had a very good meeting with the decision makers, and I decided to stay at Bayer Leverkusen.
‘I feel this is the right place to develop as a coach. I have to feel it, and right now I feel this is the right place… my job is not over here.’
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