Real Madrid have chosen Carlo Ancelotti's replacement as first team manager, according to reports.
Ancelotti has been in charge of Los Blancos for his second spell at the club since 2021. He previously took charge between 2013 and 2015.
He won the Champions League in his first stint and, despite being sacked, was re-appointed as manager for a second time by president Florentino Perez.
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His ongoing second spell has been far more successful, with Ancelotti adding a further two Champions League titles to his trophy cabinet while also winning La Liga twice.
This season has seen mixed results, though. Real are second in La Liga, behind Atletico Madrid, but have lost their two El Clasico matches to Barcelona - in different competitions - by an aggregate scoreline of 9-2.
In the Champions League, meanwhile, Los Blancos have won three of their six group stage matches and are not yet guaranteed to qualify for even the knockout round play-offs.
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That has led to some speculation over Ancelotti's future, with Real not known for sticking with managers if they fail to win a major trophy each season.
According to Mundo Deportivo, his replacement has already been identified.
Former Real boss Santiago Solari was pictured during their 2-0 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield earlier this season, and has reportedly been told to 'get ready' in the event that the club decide to part company with Ancelotti.
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Real lost 5-2 to Barcelona in the final of the Spanish Super Cup - taking place in Saudi Arabia - on Sunday, which has placed fresh pressure on the Italian.
Solari was previously Real boss from October 2018 to March 2019, losing eight of his 32 games in charge before being sacked. He has, however, kept ties with the club since his departure, as he also played for the club between 2000 and 2005 and makes regular appearances at the Bernabeu.
It is claimed that it was after Real's 3-1 Champions League defeat to AC Milan that Solari had been informed of his potential status as the next manager - only for Ancelotti to begin to steer the ship in the right direction.
Whether he will continue until at least the end of the season now remains to be seen.
Topics: Carlo Ancelotti, Real Madrid, La Liga, Champions League, Florentino Perez
Ryan Smart