Next Real Madrid manager: Xabi Alonso and shock Premier League boss main contenders to take Bernabeu hotseat

The Italian manager is currently in the midst of his fourth season with the club – something few have managed under the leadership of President Florentino Perez.

Ancelotti’s contract with Los Blancos runs out in the summer of 2026, meaning we could see the eyebrow raising tactician in the famous dugout for another season. That, of course, depends on how much silverware he adds to the cabinet come May.

Real Madrid are going well in the Champions League and La Liga title hunts, however the list of possible replacements has already been drawn up by the big bookmakers… just in case.

Here, we take a look at some of the top contenders highlighted by the bookies.

 

Xabi Alonso – 2/5

Shocker. The man who diligently represented Real Madrid in midfield for 158 appearances, claiming five major trophies in the process, finds himself as favourite for the job.

Even during his playing days, Alonso was touted as a future coach by his former mentors. They certainly haven’t undersold his abilities.

In his short managerial career, the Spaniard has shaken up the previously unshakable Bundesliga by taking Bayer Leverkusen to the title and ending Bayern Munich’s 11-year grip on the Meisterschale.

If that wasn’t enough, Alonso has also won two cups and reached a Europa League final – not a bad run considering he only took charge of the team in late 2022.

The Spaniard proved he can work magic with a limited budget. Imagine what he could conjure up with Real Madrid and their bottom-less money pit.

 

Andoni Iraola – 4/1

Yes, you read this correctly. We were shocked like the next man.

Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola is considered by the bookmakers as Real Madrid’s second option for a managerial vacancy.

Jumping from Dean Court to Santiago Bernabeu would be the biggest promotion in football since Dave Hockaday got the Leeds job. The current Cherries manager surely needs to taste failure at Tottenham before hitting the dizzying heights of Madrid... right?

There’s no question that the Spaniard has done a terrific job in the Premier League. Taking little old Bournemouth to their best ever top flight finish was one thing, but Iraola is now on the periphery of something even bigger – continental football.

Bournemouth may be close to Europe geographically, but competing in a continental competition has never previously registered on the club’s radar.

Should the Cherries enjoy a strong end to the season, Iraola could very well rub shoulders with some big hitters… unless, of course, he does actually go to Spurs.

 

Jose Mourino – 12/1

Jose Mourinho has a managerial record that is the envy of many. However, the numbers from his stint at Real Madrid are on another level.

Out of 178 competitive games, Los Blancos won 128 of them. The club only suffered 22 defeats during Mourinho’s reign and won three domestic trophies – including La Liga.

There’s no denying that Mourino’s stock has fallen in recent years. You could say that it started dropping  when he thought that joining Tottenham was a good idea.

But before you scoff at his 12/1 price, don’t forget that Ancelotti made the jump from Everton to Madrid. If that’s possible, then Fenerbahce to Madrid can most certainly be done.

 

Zinedine Zidane – 16/1

Speaking of former Real Madrid managers, few have won more than Zinedine Zidane.

The former Los Blancs player led the club to three Champions League titles, two La Liga crowns, two Spanish Super Cups, two UEFA Super Cups and two FIFA Club World Cups. It’s just ridiculous isn’t it.

Zidane hasn’t returned to management since his departure from Santiago Bernabeu in May 2021. That’s despite being linked with every big job under the sun.

Trouble is, when you’re a public figure like Zidane, you don’t live in our world… we live in his. There are only a handful of jobs that the Frenchman will take and returning to Real Madrid for a third time as manager may not be on the top of his list.

The French national job on the other hand... wink, wink.

 

Jurgen Klopp – 16/1

Despite publicly announcing his retirement, Jurgen Klopp remains a contender for some of the biggest jobs in football management.

The German is currently the Head of Global Soccer for Red Bull – a job which ultimately pays well and comes with few pressures.

It would take a really special opportunity for Klopp to do a Tyson Fury and return from retirement. Real Madrid is surely one of those jobs.

The 57-year-old has won near enough every major honour in club football during his time with Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool. Winning trophies is a top job requirement at Madrid and Klopp would certainly make for a great appointment. 

 

Massimiliano Allegri - 20/1

Former Juventus and AC Milan boss Massimiliano Allegri has been on the unemployment line since his sacking from Turin last May.

The Italian was shown the door after his behaviour in the 2024 Coppa Italia final which saw him allegedly attack the referees, threaten a reporter and have a quarrel with the Juventus sporting director. All that after a 1-0 win. Imagine if they’d lost.

Allegri’s passionate style is in direct contradiction to Carlo Ancelotti’s calm and relaxed demeanour. Nevertheless, Allegri remains a top contender for the job. 

 

Alvaro Arbeloa – 20/1

One option for Real Madrid could be to promote one of their youth coaches to the big seat. Former Los Blancos, Liverpool and West Ham fullback Alvaro Arbeloa is currently the manager of Real Madrid Juvenil A (under 19s).

The Spaniard made over 230 appearances for Real Madrid in his playing days and he knows the club inside out. What’s more, his appointment could lead to some of the youth players getting opportunities in the first team.

The one big problem is big time managerial experience. Then again, Pep Guardiola had the same issue when he progressed from Barcelona B to Barcelona… and he did alright.

 

Raul – 20/1

Another former player turned youth coach is the legendary Raul. The iconic Los Blancos striker scored over 220 goals for the club, helping them to 16 major trophies.

In more recent years, Raul has been working as manager of Real Madrid Castilla – the club’s reserve team who compete in the Spanish third tier.

The Spaniard led the team to a couple of play-offs since his appointment in 2019 and is currently in the hunt for a third such appearance.

 

Unai Emery – 33/1

As one of the best Spanish managers in the business right now, Real Madrid could do a lot worse than Unai Emery.

The current Aston Villa boss is doing wonders with the Premier League club, including taking them to the Champions League quarter-finals.

European titles are of the utmost importance in Madrid and Emery has a rich history of winning on the continent.

The only real question mark is his past history with so called major clubs. Emery struggled at Arsenal and only lasted six months before being moved on. His run at PSG also failed to meet expectations.

 

Mikel Arteta – 33/1

Speaking of Spaniards and Arsenal, Mikel Arteta finds himself in the running for the Real Madrid job.

To his credit, the 42-year-old has turned Arsenal into title challengers. Albeit, without yet winning a title.

Despite facing criticism for failing to get over the line, Arteta has proved he is a capable operator of a major club. Again, Real Madrid could do a lot worse than Arteta.

 

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