Florentino Pérez is preparing significant changes for the next season at Real Madrid, and not just regarding the team. It seems that this will be Ancelotti's last year as coach at Santiago Bernabéu, to the point that the president already has his replacement in mind. We are talking about Xabi Alonso, the Bayer Leverkusen manager, who has a clause in his contract allowing him to move to the merengue club.
The communicator Ramón Álvarez de Mon has spoken about it. He mentioned it on the Twitch channel of the renowned journalist Rubén Martín, stating: "In January, being one hundred percent sure of things would be imprudent. There is no signed contract... but there is a plan at Real Madrid for the end of this season that Xabi Alonso and Carlo Ancelotti are aware of."
Ramón de Mon continued: "It has been outlined for some time. It significantly influenced the decision of the man from Tolosa to stay at Bayer Leverkusen last summer. There has always been an understanding between the white club and the Basque coach. In those conversations, they made it clear that the plan is for him to come in 2025, at the end of this campaign."
Ancelotti Knows: Xabi Alonso Will be His Successor at Real Madrid
In this regard, Ancelotti is aware of everything that is happening. "He knows that his successor is going to be Xabi Alonso. He has a very trusting relationship with the club and knows that the plans of Real Madrid are heading in that direction. He knows how football is and knows that planned decisions can change, but there is a certain feeling that in some matches the locker room is somewhat more relaxed," he said.
When asked if Xabi Alonso has already spoken with Real Madrid, Ramón de Mon replied: "Yes. When deciding his future last year, the man from Tolosa was aware that by staying at Leverkusen... his chances of his next destination being Santiago Bernabéu increased considerably. So yes, there have been conversations."
Finally, he concluded: "Xabi Alonso was very clear last year saying that he didn't want distractions during the course. His predisposition is very good. I think it will be a challenge for both parties because the Basque is not going to accept any decision from the club as Ancelotti does."
The plan is clear at Real Madrid: for the next season, the coach will be Xabi Alonso... replacing an Ancelotti who will leave the club before his contract ends in 2026.