'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Real Madrid have chosen Xabi Alonso as Carlo Ancelotti's replacement, according to Fichajes.net. The Spanish manager has transformed Bayer Leverkusen's fortunes since taking charge at the BayArena in October 2022.
Last season, Alonso helped his team complete a domestic double, winning the Bundesliga unbeaten, as well as the DFB-Pokal. Leverkusen also reached the Europa League final, where they were undone by Atalanta.
It was the team's first and only defeat in the entire 2023-24 campaign. The Spanish manager has won 77 of his 115 games in charge of the German side, registering a 66.96% win ratio.
His efforts have apparently convinced Real Madrid, who are laying down succession plans for Carlo Ancelotti. The Italian has achieved tremendous success during his second stint with Los Blancos and recently became the club's most successful manager.
Trending
However, the LaLiga champions have blown hot and cold this season and are third in the league table after 17 games. Ancelotti has also failed to get Kylian Mbappe firing on all cylinders so far.
Real Madrid are now preparing for the future, and believe that Alonso is the right man to lead them forward. The Spaniard spent five seasons as a player at the Santiago Bernabeu and left a lasting impression at the club.
He remains a revered figure at Los Blancos and will command the respect of the current squad. Meanwhile, Alonso has already shown that he has the tactical nous to drive the club to success.
The Spaniard has implemented an attacking brand of football at BayArena which has impressed the LaLiga giants as well. Finally, Alonso was a fan favorite during his stay with Real Madrid, and the fans, apparently, are ready to see him back.
Carlo Ancelotti becomes Real Madrid's most successful coach
Carlo Ancelotti recently became Los Blancos' most successful manager, surpassing Miguel Munoz, after winning his 15th trophy, the FIFA Intercontinental Cup. The Italian manager initially took charge at the Santiago Bernabeu in the summer of 2013.
He won the Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup, the Copa del Rey, and the FIFA Club World Cup in his two-season stay. Ancelotti returned to take charge of Los Blancos in the summer of 2021, following Zinedine Zidane's exit.
The Italian has since won 11 more trophies. These include the league, the Champions League, Copa del Rey, Supercopa de Espana, UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup, and the FIFA Intercontinental Cup.
