Spanish media reports suggest that an official announcement could come “before Real Madrid’s La Liga match later this month.”
Rumors have been swirling for quite some time—Carlo Ancelotti may be leaving the Real Madrid dugout, making way for Xabi Alonso. The latest loss to Barcelona in El Clásico has only added fuel to that speculation. Citing various sources, Spanish outlets claim Alonso is poised to become Ancelotti’s successor at the club.
Information has also emerged about when the announcement might be made. Reports published on Monday say the club could unveil the news “before their La Liga match against Real Sociedad later this month.”
The same reports also mention that Alonso will “take over at Real on a three-year contract at the end of the current season” after leaving Bayer Leverkusen. The Spaniard has already confirmed he will leave the German club after the season concludes.
Talk of Ancelotti’s possible departure and Alonso’s arrival at the Santiago Bernabéu has been circulating for weeks. According to Reuters, citing sources from Soccer, “Brazil wants Ancelotti for the 2026 World Cup,” and with Dorival Júnior’s exit, the Selecão is currently without a coach.
While Ancelotti still has one year remaining on his contract with Real, sources say the team’s poor season and Ancelotti’s interest in coaching Brazil are paving the way for a mutual agreement.
Several media outlets had previously reported that “Alonso, who won the double with Leverkusen, may take charge of Real before the next Club World Cup,” which is scheduled to be held in the United States from June 14 to July 14.
A former player for Real Madrid, Liverpool, and Bayern Munich, Alonso took over Bayer Leverkusen in 2022. Last season, he led the club to its first-ever Bundesliga title, ending Bayern’s 11-year reign. Under his leadership, Leverkusen also won the German Cup and German Super Cup.
Carlo Ancelotti has already welcomed Alonso in advance, a gesture that gained extra attention after Real’s 4–3 defeat to Barcelona in Sunday’s El Clásico—one that further weakened the Italian’s hold on his job.
Ancelotti returned to Real Madrid for his second spell in June 2021. During this stint, the 65-year-old coach won both the Champions League and La Liga twice.
He remains one of the most successful coaches in Real Madrid’s history, with a total of 15 trophies to his name at the club. He also holds the unique record of being the first manager to win league titles in all of Europe’s top five leagues.
However, this season has been far from smooth for both Real and Ancelotti. They were eliminated from the Champions League by Arsenal in the quarter-finals and suffered a painful 3–2 defeat to Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final.
Following the El Clásico loss, Real’s hopes of winning La Liga have all but evaporated. They currently trail Barcelona by 7 points. If they fail to beat Mallorca on Wednesday, the title will officially go to Barcelona.
Barcelona, meanwhile, have their own opportunity to seal the title on Thursday against Espanyol. “A win will be enough for the Catalan club,” regardless of Real Madrid’s result against Mallorca.
Spanish outlets believe Ancelotti’s fate will be sealed amidst this final league drama. There is strong speculation that “Real could announce a coaching change before their final La Liga match against Real Sociedad on May 25.” That match could also serve as Ancelotti’s farewell after four remarkable years with the club.
