Top five managers who can replace Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid

The Italian manager's job is under scrutiny

Carlo Ancelotti's contract still has one year left, but after a difficult start to Real Madrid's season, there are rumours that he may leave his position and pursue a career in international management. Ancelotti has won five championships during his second tenure at Madrid, along with a league and European Cup as well as last season. Despite being on track to reach the Champions League quarterfinals, Real Madrid is now 12 points adrift of LaLiga leader Barcelona.

With Real on a run of 3 matches without a victory and reports of friction between Ancelotti and owner Florentino Perez, Khelnow looks at five prospective successors to take charge at the Bernabeu in the summer.

5. Xabi Alonso

Real Madrid may want to hire Xabi Alonso, one of their previous top players, in an effort to emulate rival Barcelona.

Between 2009 and 2014, the renowned Spanish midfielder played 154 LaLiga games while spending five successful seasons at Real Madrid.

Alonso started his coaching career with Real Madrid's U14 squad in 2018, and he is presently in charge of Real Sociedad's B team in Secunda Division B. If hired, he would be able to join players and coaches of Los Blancos like Julen Lopetegui and Zinedine Zidane.

4. Mauricio Pochettino

According to reports, the Madrid administration sees Mauricio Pochettino, the former manager of Tottenham Hotspur and Paris Saint-Germain, as a leading contender to succeed Ancelotti. The Argentine manager is apparently a candidate for the position because President Perez is intrigued with the manner he laid the groundwork at Tottenham and since a potential reconstruction is clearly in the cards.

Pochettino has been jobless since leaving the French champions at the end of the previous campaign. Undoubtedly, he would like the task of leading the world champion.

3. Zinedine Zidane

Since that Zidane hasn't had a job since being replaced by Ancelotti in 2021, his identity will now always be mentioned in connection with Real anytime speculation of a new manager arises.

Throughout the course of his two stints with Real, Zidane won 11 titles, including three Champions Leagues. He is rumoured to be open to a comeback after turning down several managerial opportunities in the meantime.

Real may return to Zidane for a 3rd season as a "tried-and-true" strategy since there aren't many managers who can produce titles while managing the demands of the position.

2. Raul

Real may potentially decide to follow Zidane's lead and elevate the manager of their Castilla squad, a move that has proven successful in the past, especially when another club star like Raul is in charge.

Real's all-time greatest scorer has been in charge of the "B" team since 2019, and his squad is now in the play-off spots in Spain's third division after winning the UEFA Youth League in 2020.

Raul's performance with Castilla hasn't exactly made headlines, but Zidane had a similar situation. Real must make sure they choose the Spaniard for the right reasons rather than just because they like him.

1. Thomas Tuchel

Thomas Tuchel, the former manager of Chelsea, is another candidate to succeed Ancelotti as Real Madrid's manager. The German tactician, who is now the incumbent UEFA and FIFA Men's Manager of the Year, is recognised as one of Europe's top managers.

Throughout his tenure at Borussia Dortmund and PSG, Tuchel showed his versatility as a tactician and his ability to play offensive football. He can prepare his team's defence, which was seen at Chelsea, as the Blues had one of the solid defence which saw them win the Champions League under Tuchel in his first season at Stamford Bridge.