Real Madrid legend, Fernando Morientes, has thrown his support behind former teammate Xabi Alonso as a potential successor to Carlo Ancelotti, should the Italian depart his role at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Ancelotti, who is under contract with Los Blancos until June 2026, has come under renewed scrutiny following Madrid’s heavy 3-0 defeat to Arsenal in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie.
The result has sparked fresh speculation about his future, despite his decorated second stint at the club and previous links to the Brazil national team job.
Speaking in an interview with bet365, Morientes expressed his admiration for Alonso’s managerial rise and credentials.
“I have enormous affection for Xabi Alonso because he’s been my teammate and a personal friend. I have enormous respect for him as a coach because I think what he’s achieved isn’t easy, and the steps he’s taken have been very accurate and doing exactly what you should do,” Morientes said.
“First, start with the youth teams, develop, take a little further step forward, and then move on to professional football. He’s accomplished all those steps and done very well.
“What he did last year at Leverkusen isn’t easy. He’s an option for Real Madrid. For me, the option I like most, obviously, is at home. You don’t need to spend anything at all. You’re more than ready. He’s a leader and he’s out of the ordinary. I think he’d be a perfect fit on the Real Madrid bench.”
Alonso, who currently manages Bayer Leverkusen, has enhanced his reputation significantly. After a remarkable 2022–23 campaign in which he led the German side to an unbeaten Bundesliga title win, a DFB-Pokal triumph, and a Europa League final appearance, he extended his contract until the end of next season.
While this season has seen a drop-off in league performance, with Leverkusen trailing Bayern Munich by six points, there’s been no indication Alonso is eyeing an exit.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid will be hoping to bounce back in the return leg against Arsenal, with Jude Bellingham embracing the pressure, calling it “a privilege,” as the Spanish giants look to keep their Champions League hopes alive.
