Reports in Spain indicate that Xabi Alonso has been tipped to replace Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid from next season. The Liverpool legend has been the manager of Bayer Leverkusen since October after previously managing Real Sociedad's second team for three years. Real's hierarchy are reportedly not concerned about Alonso's lack of managerial experience and have now made the 41-year-old their preferred choice to become Ancelotti's successor. Alonso is a two-time European champion with Spain and he spent six years at Real Madrid as a player winning the Spanish La Liga in 2012 and then the UEFA Champions League two years later during Carlo Ancelotti's first spell as a manager at the Santiago Bernabeu. The 2010 FIFA World Cup winner then retired after spending three seasons at Bundesliga reigning champions Bayern Munich. He then went on to manage the Real Madrid youth team before shifting to that of Real Sociedad.

Also Read: Abandoned Ajax and Feyenoord match to continue play on Wednesday

Alonso then went ahead to replace Gerardo Seoane as the Bayer Leverkusen manager in October last year when the team was only second from the bottom. The Spaniard then made an immediate impact, guiding the German side to finish sixth on the table and to reach the semi-finals of the UEFA Europa League. Bayer Leverkusen have now made a superb start to this season's Bundesliga and are currently at position two tied in points with top-of-the-table Bayern Munich and only being separated in goal difference. Alonso had attracted interest from Tottenham Hotspurs before the Premier League club settled on Ange Postecoglou as the Spaniard was committed to Leverkusen. He signed a three-year extension with the German club that will see him at the helm until the end of the 2025-2026 season. 

Meanwhile, Carlo Ancelotti is expected to step down as the Real Madrid boss when his contract runs out at the end of this season. Brazil Football Confederation (CBF) president Ednaldo Rodrigues said in July that they are expecting Ancelotti to lead the South American football giants at next year's Copa America. Fernando Diniz is now the interim manager of the Brazil national team in a one-year deal he signed as he simultaneously manages Fluminense. 

ALSO READ:
Inter Milan and Manchester City maintain their perfect starts to the season as Real succumb to Atletico to end their perfect run
Eliud Kipchoge becomes King again!
Will Pochettino manage to pull Chelsea out of the mud?
Julian Nagelsman unveiled as new Germany manager
Is Onana a solution or a problem for Manchester United?

(Image: Daily Express)