Carlo Ancelotti's image has been damaged by Real Madrid's last few games. Despite having a contract until 2026, his continuity is not taken for granted even for this season. Possible replacements are already beginning to appear in the media. The latest to give his opinion has been Juanma Rodríguez, a regular journalist for El Chiringuito.
Speaking on the latest broadcast of Fútbol esRadio, Juanma Rodríguez hasn't hesitated to put his candidate to replace Ancelotti on the table. Many might think he would name his beloved Mourinho. Hoewver, t the reality is that the well-known Spanish journalist has come with a surprise.
"While I was listening to him in the press conference, I was thinking about it... Maybe it's not a bad idea to bring Luis Enrique to Real Madrid," said Juanma Rodríguez. These words have left the rest of his colleagues speechless. They didn't expect Juanma to choose the former Spain coach to replace Ancelotti.
Juanma Rodríguez's Option is Not Convincing
Not only has Luis Enrique's name come to mind among Juanma Rodríguez's colleagues on the show but also at Real Madrid. The reality is that no-one inside, let alone Florentino, considers the Asturian as a possible replacement for Ancelotti in the Santiago Bernabéu dugout. He's been completely ruled out.
The search for a successor to Ancelotti, it must be said, has already begun and there are several names on the table. None of them, however is Luis Enrique... even if this may hurt Juanma Rodríguez.
Ancelotti's reputation is still high but he must not be neglected. Real Madrid doesn't accept or tolerate defeat, so a change is needed as soon as possible. In the event that he continues this way and a change is needed on the bench, Florentino Pérez is considering various options.
The coach of the future is Xabi Alonso, everyone at Madrid is clear about that. The president's intention is to hire him for 2025, when Ancelotti will probably no longer be at the club. Before that, it would be impossible, since he won't let Leverkusen down; that's clear to him.
In the event that Ancelotti ends up leaving earlier than expected, Florentino Pérez is considering two options. The most likely option would be the unexpected promotion of Raúl to the "seniors" for the remainder of the season. Arbeloa would replace him at Castilla in the meantime.
The other option seems more complicated, especially in the eagerness to sign Xabi Alonso for 2025. Zidane would be delighted to return, but he wouldn't agree to do so for just a few months.
The truth is that Ancelotti's successor hasn't yet been decided. What is clear, though, is that it will not be Luis Enrique, something that Juanma Rodríguez would like.