Xabi Alonso: The Leading Candidate to Replace Carlo Ancelotti at the Bernabéu
With the winds of change once again sweeping through the Santiago Bernabéu, Real Madrid find themselves at a familiar crossroads. Speculation is mounting, and the name on everyone’s lips is Xabi Alonso. The former midfield maestro has emerged as the prime contender to succeed Carlo Ancelotti, whose tenure in the Spanish capital appears to be approaching its end.
In the high-stakes world of European football, managerial moves can be every bit as dramatic—and costly—as marquee player transfers. That seems to be the case with Xabi Alonso, whose spectacular rise at Bayer Leverkusen has not gone unnoticed. But luring him back to Madrid may come at a hefty price.
A Rising Star in the Dugout
Xabi Alonso took over Bayer Leverkusen in October 2022, stepping in at a time when the club was languishing near the bottom of the Bundesliga table. Fast forward to the summer of 2024, and he’s masterminded one of the most remarkable turnarounds in recent memory—guiding the team through an unbeaten domestic campaign that has turned heads across Europe.
Alonso’s Leverkusen doesn’t just win games—they play with flair, structure, and an almost poetic sense of control. It’s no surprise, then, that Real Madrid are keen to bring him back to where his glittering playing career once flourished. But ambition comes at a cost.
Breaking the Bank for a Manager?
According to multiple reports, Real Madrid may have to cough up an eight-digit fee to release Xabi Alonso from his current contract with Leverkusen, which runs until 2026. Unlike some managerial deals, there is reportedly no release clause written into Alonso’s contract—meaning any potential fee is entirely at the discretion of the German champions.
Spanish outlet AS has reported that Leverkusen might be willing to accept a figure around €10 million (£8.6m). Meanwhile, Sky Germany suggests the figure could be significantly higher—somewhere between €15m and €20m (£12.9m to £17.2m). That would make Xabi Alonso the most expensive manager in La Liga history, and the third-most costly coach of all time, behind only Julian Nagelsmann (€25m to Bayern Munich) and Graham Potter (€23m to Chelsea).
Should the final fee reach the upper limit of that range, Real Madrid would be making a serious financial statement—underscoring just how much faith they have in Xabi Alonso’s potential as their next long-term leader.
What’s Going On with Ancelotti?
All of this speculation, of course, hinges on Carlo Ancelotti’s future. The Italian tactician, who has delivered both La Liga and the Champions League during his second spell at Madrid, is reportedly on thin ice following the team’s disappointing exit from Europe at the hands of Arsenal.
Despite Ancelotti’s considerable accomplishments, his tenure has been marked by inconsistency and an aging squad in need of renewal. Madrid’s board is believed to be considering a change regardless of the result in the upcoming Copa del Rey final against Barcelona. That match, scheduled for the end of April, may very well serve as Ancelotti’s swan song.
A Return to Familiar Territory
There’s something inherently poetic about the idea of Xabi Alonso returning to Real Madrid. During his playing days, Xabi Alonso was the beating heart of Los Blancos’ midfield—his intelligence, composure, and vision a perfect fit for the white shirt. Now, as a coach, he’s showing that same cerebral touch from the sidelines.
In his public statements, Xabi Alonso has remained coy. “We’re focused on the season ahead,” he told reporters recently. “We still have five league games left to play, and we must keep that very clear in our minds. We shouldn’t talk about the future—it’s not good for us to lose focus.”
Diplomatic as ever, but those close to the situation suggest the wheels have already been turning behind the scenes.
Quiet Talks, Loud Speculation
Sky Germany has reported that Xabi Alonso’s agent, Iñaki Ibáñez, has been in contact with Real Madrid for the better part of two weeks. These discussions apparently began even before Madrid were knocked out of the Champions League, suggesting that the club’s leadership may have already made up their minds about a managerial change.
Still, no official agreement has been reached between Madrid and Leverkusen. With no release clause to fall back on, negotiations could drag on as both sides try to find common ground. Madrid will want to wrap things up quickly—with the Club World Cup looming in June, the club is eager to have a clear plan in place.
The Bigger Picture
It’s easy to get lost in the numbers, the clauses, the speculation. But at its core, this is about a club that’s always planning for the next chapter. Real Madrid don’t just look for winners—they look for symbols, for figures who embody the club’s identity. Xabi Alonso ticks all the boxes.
His calm demeanor, tactical intelligence, and deep ties to the club make him a natural successor to Ancelotti. But perhaps more importantly, he represents the future. In an era where young, progressive coaches are changing the landscape of the game—think Mikel Arteta, Julian Nagelsmann, and even Vincent Kompany—Xabi Alonso is very much a part of that conversation.
Will the Deal Get Done?
So, how much will Real Madrid actually have to pay to hire Xabi Alonso? The final number may not be clear yet, but it’s almost certainly going to be in the region of £15m to £17.2m. It’s a steep price—but for a club like Madrid, it could be viewed as a smart investment in long-term success.
In a world where transfer fees for players routinely exceed £100m, perhaps it’s time we started viewing top-tier managers through the same lens. After all, a great coach can be the difference between a good season and a historic one.
Whether Xabi Alonso makes the move this summer or not, one thing is certain: his managerial career is just getting started—and Real Madrid want to be part of the ride.
