Real Madrid are expected to finally make a change at the manager post this summer, swapping the legendary Carlo Ancelotti for Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso, who earned widespread acclaim for an undefeated season in 2023/24.
In 2024/25, Alonso has recovered from a slow start to help Leverkusen push Bayern Munich for the Bundesliga title once more, only enhancing his reputation as the best young manager in world football even further.
The best possible get to replace Ancelotti, the reigning winner of the Champions League, Alonso’s time could be now, and he is apparently already eyeing some big moves for Real Madrid in the summer 2025 transfer window if president Florentino Perez gives him the job.
According to Fabrizio Romano, via Madrid Xtra, the big reason for the sudden rumors linking Real Sociedad star defensive midfielder Martin Zubimendi to Real Madrid is actually the looming presence of Alonso.
A former top center midfielder at La Real himself, Alonso is, per Fab, “a big fan” of Zubimendi and Alonso eventually wants to coach Real Madrid. Therefore, Alonso could be angling to bring Zubi in as his future midfield architect.
Of course, Real Madrid have also been linked with Alonso’s current best player in Leverkusen, German playmaking sensation Florian Wirtz. Real Madrid don’t need a new 10, but if Arda Guler is loaned, that could give Wirtz room to roam and have the keys to the kingdom from Alonso.
There are a lot of “ifs” here, but even if Real Madrid weren’t going after Alonso, a controller like Zubimendi would make a ton of sense for both his defensive prowess and the fact that the team has a huge void for a regista-type player after Toni Kroos’ retirement.
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.