Who will replace Carlo Ancelotti? Contenders and odds for next Real Madrid manager

Carlo Ancelotti is expected to leave Real Madrid at the end of the season.

The Italian was non-committal when asked about his future after the Champions League defeat to Arsenal last night but it is highly likely Madrid will go in a different direction in the summer.

It won’t be an easy job for whoever takes over at the Santiago Bernabéu with the squad in need of a major rebuild.

Here, we examine the contenders with all odds supplied by bet365 (correct as of 1300 UK time on April 17)

Xabi Alonso – evens

The outstanding candidate and someone who may already be in charge had he not opted to stay for another year at Bayer Leverkusen after leading them to their first Bundesliga title last season.

Asked recently what he intended to do at this season’s end, the former Madrid midfielder was vague and it wouldn’t come as a surprise if negotiations had already started.

Alonso has struggled to replicate his success of last season and it may be he won’t get another chance at a job of this magnitude.

Jurgen Klopp – 5/2

Klopp left Liverpool at the end of last season to take up a job as Head of Global Soccer at Red Bull and was tasked with overseeing operations at their stable of clubs.

But reports suggest he is already disillusioned and eyeing a return to management.

He has been linked with the Brazil national team job – as has Ancelotti – but a club job in Europe seems a better fit. 

The German would bring an energy to Madrid rarely seen.

Andoni Iraola – 5/1

Iraola has done a superb job at Bournemouth and is another thought to be admired by Madrid president Florentino Perez.

Quiet and unassuming, the Basque employs a high-tempo brand of football that would take time to implement but could be devastating given the calibre of players he would have at his disposal.

The question is how would someone who has operated at smaller clubs during his coaching career cope with the enormous demands placed on a Real Madrid boss?

Zinedine Zidane – 12/1

Madrid have a habit of going back for previous managers. Fabio Capello and Ancelotti both had two spells while, for Zidane, it would be a third.

The Frenchman has not reappeared in management after leaving Madrid for a second time in May 2021 and, while he has been heavily linked with replacing Didier Deschamps when he steps down as France boss following next summer’s World Cup, don’t be surprised if he rocks up at the Bernabeu instead.

Enjoyed great success across his two spells as boss, winning two La Liga titles and the Champions League three times.

Michel – 20/1

The former Real Madrid midfielder was a distinguished player for Los Blancos, making over 400 appearances.

He worked briefly in the Real Madrid youth system but was sacked following a disagreement with then president Ramon Calderon.

Has enjoyed a globetrotting career since with spells at Getafe, Sevilla and Marseille among others. Is the current boss of Saudi Arabian side Al-Qadsiah.

Other Contenders

Former Madrid striker Raul (8/1) is currently in charge of the club’s reserve side Castilla and may be promoted.

Jose Mourinho (16/1) is very much an outside shot given his career appears to be on the wane.

One man who is very much on an upward trajectory is Mikel Arteta (33/1). Could the man who inspired Madrid’s downfall last night come to their rescue?

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