Alonso now or later? Ancelotti's departure sets up Real Madrid conundrum
The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) confirmed on Monday that Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti will be the new Brazil national team coach
- MADRID (SPAIN) — The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) confirmed on
Monday that Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti will be the new Brazil national
team coach, which gives his current club a logistical problem.
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- The announcement by the CBF that the Italian will start
his job at the end of May means Ancelotti will not be in the Real Madrid dugout
for the FIFA Club World Cup, which kicks off in the middle of June, and leaves
club president Florentino Perez needing to make an important decision.
-
- Former Madrid player Xabi Alonso looks set to be named
Ancelotti's long-term replacement after confirming his departure from German
club Bayer Leverkusen. The question is whether Alonso will be in place for the
summer tournament or if Madrid wants him to take over after that, reports
Xinhua.
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- On the one hand, if Alonso coached Real Madrid for the
Club World Cup, it would give him an early chance to know the players and begin
his job earlier than expected, which in theory would be an advantage ahead of
next season.
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- However, there are likely to be plenty of changes in the
Real Madrid squad this summer, with several players arriving and departing, and
the squad he starts to prepare for the 2025-26 season will be different from
the one that competes in the U.S. this summer.
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- If Alonso were in the dugout and led Real Madrid to
victory, it would be a flying start to his career as coach, but if Madrid
doesn't lift the title, it could be seen as a false start to his term.
-
- Bearing that in mind, Perez could contemplate an interim
coach for the Club World Cup, with Santiago Solari the main candidate. Although
Solari had an unsuccessful spell as head coach between 2018-19, he now works as
Director of Professional Football at the club and could easily step up to coach
on a short-term basis.
-
- Meanwhile, the club revealed on Monday that winger
Vinicius Jr and defender Lucas Vázquez both picked up injuries in Sunday's 4-3
defeat to FC Barcelona.
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- Vinicius has a twisted ankle, while Vazquez has a muscle
injury, and neither is likely to play in Wednesday's match at home to Mallorca,
which Madrid must win to delay Barcelona's coronation as this season's La Liga
champions.
