Real Madrid refuses to fire Carlo Ancelotti due to problems with the three alternatives

Real Madrid are once again sweating over the team’s form, after their fifth defeat of the season against Athletic Club. Carlo Ancelotti had a brief respite after three consecutive victories in the League, but defeats against Liverpool and Athletic Club have reignited debates about his future.

Los Blancos rarely replace their coaches during the season, but they already know their three immediate alternatives if they did: Raúl González, Santiago Solari or Zinedine Zidane. However, Cadena SER says that there is reluctance to see any of them in charge due to the drawbacks of the three, which should reinforce Ancelotti’s job security.

They are already planning the arrival of Xabi Alonso in 2025, and Zidane would not agree to return with a short-term contract until the end of the season. Sports director Solari could take over temporarily, as he did unsuccessfully in 2018, but that would make it clear to the team that this was a short-term solution and that Alonso would arrive. There is then a risk of players dropping their level for a long period until the end of the season.

The last alternative is the Castilla coach, Raúl. He has been patient in the role and is currently in his sixth season managing the club’s academy talent, but the club fears he will do too well in the role. Given his popularity among Real Madrid fans, if he were successful, it could be difficult to remove him and appoint Alonso.

It has recently been denied that Alonso has made a decision on his future, but in both Spain and Germany the Bayer Leverkusen coach is expected to be in charge of the Santiago Bernabéu next season. His contract expires next summer and there has been no talk of a new agreement.