Former Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso is reportedly set to become the club’s new manager, with Real Madrid aiming to have him in place for the FIFA Club World Cup starting next month.
BBC Sport sources indicate the 43-year-old, who is leaving Bayer Leverkusen, is planned to arrive in Madrid on June 1st to prepare for their first Club World Cup match on June 18th against Al-Hilal in Miami.
Real Madrid opted against an interim appointment after conversations with Alonso last week.
Current manager Carlo Ancelotti is expected to leave after the final home game on May 25th.
While neither departure nor arrival is official, Real Madrid reportedly wants Alonso in charge for the Club World Cup and is also hoping to sign Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold before the tournament.
Alonso’s move comes after leading Leverkusen to a Bundesliga and German Cup double.
Real Madrid had reportedly been in contact with Alonso for months as a potential successor to Ancelotti, with a verbal agreement in place since March.
Ancelotti’s future has been under scrutiny, with reports linking him to the Brazil coaching job.
