"I wish Xabi Alonso, Raul, and Alvaro Arbeloa to become Real Madrid's manager," Carlo Ancelotti

Carlo Ancelotti names three former players as future managers

While Xabi Alonso, the manager of Bayer Leverkusen, has been mentioned as a possible replacement for Carlo Ancelotti as Real Madrid manager, Ancelotti has praised Alonso's coaching abilities.

Ancelotti, whose contract with Madrid expires in just over a year, is anticipated to take charge of the Brazilian national team in 2019. Alonso has been mentioned as a potential replacement by Los Blancos, who are searching for a new manager.

According to reports, Real Madrid has chosen to succeed Ancelotti with the Leverkusen coach. 23 of 44 games were managed by the Spanish strategist during his remarkable run at the Bay Arena. His team has four victories out of five league games and is presently second in the Bundesliga standings.

Alonso has received praise from Ancelotti for his potential as a future Bernabeu hire. According to transfer authority Fabrizio Romano, he said:

“I have coached Xabi, he’s doing a great job at Bayer. He understands the game well, that’s why he’s very good coach”.

The Madrid manager also revealed his longing for Raul and Alvaro Arbeloa, Alonso's old colleagues, to join him in the Bernabeu dugout:

I wish Xabi Alonso, Raul, and Alvaro Arbeloa to become Real Madrid's manager one day. I love all of them."

Alonso extended his contract with Leverkusen by two years in August, committing him to the Bundesliga club through 2026. The appeal of going back to Real Madrid, though, might be too great for the Spaniard to resist.

Throughout his five-year tenure at Madrid as a player, he won two UEFA Champions Leagues, one La Liga championship, and two Copa del Reys, turning him into an icon. Under Ancelotti, he played in 82 matches and contributed seven assists in addition to three goals.