Next Real Madrid manager: Stunning twist as Liverpool hero becomes ‘dream’ target for Florentino Perez

Real Madrid have surprisingly set their sights on a former Liverpool midfielder to replace Carlo Ancelotti as manager, according to reports.

Madrid are currently managed by the legendary Ancelotti. He left Everton in June 2021 to return to the Bernabeu, having previously been in charge of Madrid between 2013 and 2015.

The Spanish giants have been hugely successful since Ancelotti re-joined. In the 2021-22 season, they emerged victorious in the Champions League, La Liga and Spanish super cup. They reached the quarter-final of the Spanish cup but were knocked out of the competition by Athletic Bilbao.

In the season just finished, Ancelotti helped Madrid triumph in the Copa del Rey, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup. However, they failed to add two of the biggest trophies in world football to their cabinet, the Champions League and La Liga.

Eventual winners Manchester City knocked them out of the Champions League in the semi-final with a stunning 4-0 win at home, following a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Spain.

Barcelona also managed to re-gain the La Liga title, finishing 10 points ahead of Ancelotti’s men.

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Madrid president Florentino Perez remains very happy with the 64-year-old. Ancelotti is known for his ability to deal with big stars in the dressing room and this will help Madrid if Kylian Mbappe ends up joining in a massive transfer from Paris Saint-Germain.

However, due to Ancelotti’s age, Madrid must consider potential successors who can soon arrive and continue the excellent work the Italian has done in the Spanish capital.

Real Madrid tipped to pursue Liverpool icon

Mauricio Pochettino was linked with the role earlier this year, but he has instead gone to Chelsea. There have been rumours Madrid want club legend Raul to eventually become their new manager, although he needs more time to get to that sort of level.

Instead, Madrid might move for Xabi Alonso. The 41-year-old hung up his boots in 2017 and then had spells working as a youth coach for Madrid and as Real Sociedad’s B team boss.

In October last year, Bayer Leverkusen raised eyebrows by appointing Alonso. He has done a good job since then, helping Leverkusen finish sixth in the German top flight as well as reach the Europa League semis. This resulted in links with the Tottenham job, though they ultimately went for Ange Postecoglou.

According to German source Bild, it is ‘likely’ Alonso will depart Leverkusen when his contract with them expires in June 2024. And this will allow Madrid to land him for free.

Perez has identified the former midfielder as his ‘dream’ target to take up the mantle from Ancelotti.

Perez thinks Alonso has the tactical brilliance required to help Madrid dominate football both in Spain and further afield in Europe.

Another reason why Perez is so keen on the swoop is that Alonso knows Los Blancos well. He made 236 appearances for them during a five-year spell at the Bernabeu as a player and, as mentioned previously, has already worked in their youth setup.

Alonso has also been earmarked as a potential replacement for Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, for when the German eventually decides it is time to leave Anfield.

Due to this, the Liverpool hierarchy will be hoping Perez changes his mind and goes after a different tactician to replace Ancelotti, such as Julian Nagelsmann.

After all, one of Liverpool’s potential future managers, Steven Gerrard, failed to live up to the hype during an ill-fated spell at Aston Villa.

Meanwhile, Liverpool’s swoop for a Real Madrid star who needs a move could come under threat from Manchester United.