Real Madrid have made Xabi Alonso their preferred candidate to replace Carlo Ancelotti.
Ancelotti signed a new contract with the Spanish champions in the summer that will run until 2026, though there is a suggestion he could leave his role at the Bernabeu at the end of the current campaign.
Real Madrid are currently sit points behind Barcelona in the La Liga title race and have made a mixed start to their Champions League defence, losing to Lille and AC Milan.
Alonso is the clear favourite to succeed the Italian with the former Real Madrid midfielder having emerged as one of Europe’s best young coaches at Bayer Leverkusen.
The 42-year-old led Leverkusen to a first-ever Bundesliga title last season, without losing a game, and added the DFB-Pokal to complete a German double. Leverkusen became the first ever team to win the Bundesliga unbeaten.
Alonso turned down interest from leading clubs in the summer to recommit his future to Leverkusen, though is reportedly likely to leave at the end of the current season.
Manchester City eye Alonso as Guardiola replacement
Manchester City are monitoring his situation amid the uncertainty surrounding Pep Guardiola’s future, though there is a belief from Bayer Leverkusen that Alonso is Bernabeu-bound.
Sky Germany are reporting that Alonso’s potential move to Real Madrid would increase the likelihood of Florian Wirtz making the same move.
The 21-year-old midfielder is a target for Europe’s elite after starring during Leverkusen’s title success, earning the Bundesliga’s Player of the Season award.
Alonso made 236 appearances for Real Madrid during a six-season spell as a player. He joined the club from Liverpool in a £30m deal and won the 2011/12 La Liga title and 2013/14 Champions League among his honours.
