Real Madrid have been interested in hiring Xabi Alonso ever since Bayer Leverkusen began their fairytale run as undefeated Bundesliga champions, as the former Bayern Munich and Madrid star midfielder finally brought major silverware to Die Werkself.
After a slow start to the 2024/25 season, Leverkusen are back in title contention with rivals Bayern Munich, and Alonso’s reputation as the best young manager in the world – or even the best manager of any age – remains solidly intact.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid are eyeing a transition away from Carlo Ancelotti, who saved his job with a third Champions League trophy in Madrid last season but has continued to frustrate tactically in big games this season, getting wiped off the pitch by new Barcelona head man Hansi Flick.
And with the Brazil national team rumors heating up again ahead of a vital 2026 World Cup for a perennially disappointing Selecao, perhaps 2025 is the year Real Madrid finally divest from Don Carlo and build to the future under Alonso.
According to a report from The Athletic, via the Madrid Zone, Real Madrid and Xabi Alonso have begun negotiations this season for a potential summer move to replace Ancelotti.
In the background, fans wonder if Alonso could bring superstar playmaker Florian Wirtz with him to Madrid, and Leverkusen have been interested in Real’s playmaker Arda Guler, who has notably struggled to get a foothold in the competitive Real Madrid XI this season.
Joe Soriano covers West Ham for Green Street Hammers and writes about Real Madrid for The Real Champs. He has extensive experience covering world football since 2014. Joe is an editor for The Trivela Effect, where he covers the biggest clubs in European football. He has watched professional sports regularly since 2002 and can be found playing the same sports he covers with his friends.