Carlo Ancelotti and Real Madrid have been a match made in history in recent years, yet this summer is expected to bring a change in the hot seat.
The Italian manager is due to be replaced after a second successful spell with Los Blancos, with Liverpool legend Xabi Alonso viewed as Madrid’s ideal option to succeed Ancelotti, given his previous history with the La Liga side and his impressive start to management with Bayer Leverkusen.
Alonso won the domestic double last season undefeated with the German side with Leverkusen losing just one game all campaign, though that result did come via the UEFA Europa League final, with the reigning Bundesliga champions this year expected to miss out on the title to Bayern Munich.
And as a result to Leverkusen’s drop in form, Madrid appear to be looking at another Liverpool legend who could replace Ancelotti instead of Alonso.
According to Sport, Florentino Perez is being encouraged by Madrid insiders to appoint Jurgen Klopp as Ancelotti’s successor, with the Spanish giants looking for a manager who make an immediate impact at the club next season.
Klopp this year took on a new role at Red Bull after leaving Liverpool last summer, with Arne Slot since succeeding the German manager at Anfield with the Reds on course to win the Premier League title this season.
Yet Klopp could now return to management with Madrid if the reigning UEFA Champions League holders come in for the Liverpool legend, with a job of this scale likely to appeal to the former Borussia Dortmund coach.
Indeed, there is a real chance that Klopp could return to the touchline for a top club in the coming years, and with Madrid the biggest team in the world, the German might find it hard to resist an offer from Los Blancos if one comes in this summer.
Liverpool and Real Madrid have developed a rivalry of sorts in recent years, with the Spanish giants beating the Reds in two Champions League finals under Klopp whilst also embarrassing the Anfield side 6-2 on aggregate in 2023.
Although Liverpool got revenge on Madrid this season with a 2-0 win on Merseyside under Slot, there’s still some bad blood there between the European giants, and Klopp joining Los Blancos will not go down well with Red supporters.
As we know, Klopp is a legend at Liverpool and is a key reason why the Premier League leaders are now one of the best clubs in the world, and the German joining a European rival in Madrid will be viewed by many fans as a poor decision given the recent history between the two sides.