Ancelotti calls Alonso one of world’s best but remains tight-lipped over future

Carlo Ancelotti labelled Xabi Alonso “one of the best in the world” amid reports the departing Bayer Leverkusen coach will replace him as Real Madrid manager next season.

Ahead of a crunch El Clasico on Sunday – a showdown with Barcelona that could ultimately shape the La Liga title race – Ancelotti was highly complimentary of the fledgling Spanish coach while expressing a deep affection for Los Blancos.

But the 65-year-old, who has come under fire this term after defeat in the Copa del Rey final and elimination from the Champions League at the quarter-final stage, remained tight-lipped over his future.

‘Don Carlo’, the most successful coach in the history of Europe’s elite club competition, has spent six years at the Bernabeu across two spells but recent reports have claimed the Italian will depart to take up the position of Brazil head coach ahead of next summer’s World Cup finals.

Alonso, a Champions League winner with Real as a player who led Leverkusen to an unbeaten Bundesliga title in his first season as coach, confirmed this week he would be leaving the German side, prompting speculation the 43-year-old could be headed to the Spanish capital next season.

Nach knapp 2½ Jahren und der erfolgreichsten Zeit in unserer Vereinsgeschichte wird unser Cheftrainer @XabiAlonso #Bayer04 zum Saisonende verlassen. pic.twitter.com/ErPeNP1bE7

— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04fussball) May 9, 2025

“I have read that he [Alonso] is leaving Bayer Leverkusen,” said Ancelotti.

“He has done an incredible job and he has the doors open to him because he has shown he is one of the best in the world.”

Despite the high praise, the Madrid boss stopped short of confirming his own plans, opting instead to talk about his affinity to the club.

He said: “With this club, the honeymoon never ends. Real Madrid, like [AC] Milan before them, are clubs that remain in my heart for the time I’ve been here and for the relationships.

“When the pressure goes down, the affection rises. The honeymoon with Madrid will last until the last day of my life.”

Ancelotti confirmed forward Rodrygo has returned to training and is in contention to start against Barcelona.

🦵 @RodrygoGoes
🦵 @FedeeValverde pic.twitter.com/v8JX27xST3

— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) May 9, 2025

Real currently trail their Catalan rivals by four points in the table with four matches remaining.

They have lost all three meetings between the two sides this season, shipping 12 goals and scoring just four in the process.

Defeat for Ancelotti’s men would almost certainly hand the title to Hansi Flick’s side, but the Madrid manager insisted his players were full of confidence.

“The team is doing well, focused on what we have to do and excited,” Ancelotti added.

“We have a lot at stake. We’re confident that we can achieve it. Matches against Barcelona are tough, but we’re confident we can win.”