Liverpool legend could replace Carlo Ancelotti as Real Madrid manager this summer

Liverpool legend Xabi Alonso could replace Carlo Ancelotti as Real Madrid manager this summer, according to a fresh report.

The Reds prepare to take on Real at the Santiago Bernabeu, needing a historic result to prolong their European campaign.

Ancelotti’s men fought back from 2-0 down to record a phenomenal 5-2 win at Anfield three weeks ago. Indeed, only the most calamitous of Real collapses would see Liverpool qualify for the quarter-final.

However, despite the Spanish giants' commanding position in the Champions League, Ancelotti is under increasing pressure due to the club’s domestic form.

Los Blancos sit nine points behind rivals Barcelona in La Liga. Indeed, Real failed to prevail in the three domestic matches that followed the Liverpool mauling, before reverting to type with a comfortable 3-1 win over Espanyol at the weekend.

With Ancelotti under pressure, former Real and Liverpool midfielder Alonso is among the names linked with the management job at the Spanish giants.

Alonso linked to Real Madrid job

According to Bild (via the Metro), Alonso is on the shortlist to replace Ancelotti if the Italian leaves Real in the summer.

The Spaniard was appointed Bayer Leverkusen manager back in October, with the club sitting 17th in the table having won one of the first eight league matches.

Alonso has since guided Leverkusen to nine wins in 16 outings, helping them to ninth in the Bundesliga. Indeed, if the season had started when he was hired, Leverkusen would be fourth in the table.

Bild have also claimed that Thomas Tuchel is very keen on the Real job, with the German currently learning Spanish.

Tuchel has been out of work since being sacked by Chelsea in September, less that two years into his tenure at Stamford Bridge.

There, the 49-year-old claimed the Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup while the Blues also made the FA Cup and Carabao Cup finals.

Mauricio Pochettino and Raul have also been touted as candidates for the Real job.

Topics: Football, Liverpool, Xabi Alonso, Carlo Ancelotti, Real Madrid, La Liga, Mauricio Pochettino, Thomas Tuchel, Raul

Chris Byfield

Sport journalist with experience writing on football, rugby, boxing and the Olympics. I'm also a Crystal Palace fan. Please don't hold this against me.