Real Madrid favourites to hire title-winning manager despite Man City intereference | OneFootball

Real Madrid have emerged as frontrunners to secure the services of Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso, despite growing interest from Premier League champions Manchester City, reports Florian Plettenberg.

The Spanish giants view their former midfielder as the ideal successor to Carlo Ancelotti, whose position at the Santiago Bernabeu has become somewhat uncertain despite having a contract until 2026.

Recent reports suggest the support for the Italian manager within the Merengues’ administration has begun to waver. And Alonso would be the best-placed candidate to take over if Ancelotti is moved on.

Manchester City meddling

As per the report, Manchester City have expressed concrete interest in Alonso as a potential replacement for Pep Guardiola, should he opt to depart the Etihad Stadium next summer, when his contract expires.

However, Bayer Leverkusen officials believe their manager’s destination is already mapped out, with Real Madrid holding pole position for his signature.

A homecoming for Alonso next summer? (Photo by Leon Kuegeler/Getty Images)

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has identified Alonso as his preferred candidate to lead the team into a new era.

The former Spanish international has garnered widespread acclaim for his exceptional work at Leverkusen, transforming the German side into a title-winning team last season.

Key to Wirtz signing?

The potential appointment of Alonso at Real Madrid could have far-reaching implications beyond the dugout.

The report indicates Alonso’s arrival might prove instrumental in facilitating the transfer of Leverkusen’s star midfielder Florian Wirtz to the Santiago Bernabeu in 2025.

The 21-year-old German international has been a cornerstone of Alonso’s success at the BayArena and could follow him to the Spanish capital club.

Should the managerial change materialise, it would mark a homecoming for Alonso, who spent five successful years as a player with Real Madrid between 2009 and 2014, during which he established himself as a club legend.