Three Real Madrid Stars Threaten Exit if Ancelotti is Replaced by Xabi Alonso
Three key Real Madrid players have reportedly threatened to leave the club if Carlo Ancelotti is dismissed at the season’s end, creating potential turmoil in the Spanish capital.
Ancelotti, now in his fourth season during his second tenure with Los Blancos, has delivered impressive results, including two Champions League titles. Despite the team’s credentials as defending European champions, speculation about his future persists.
Real Madrid experienced a challenging start to this season’s Champions League campaign, suffering defeats against Lille, AC Milan, and Liverpool. However, they recovered admirably to reach the play-off stage and convincingly eliminated Manchester City with a 6-3 aggregate victory.
In La Liga, after overcoming early struggles, Real now finds themselves in a tight title race with Barcelona, separated only by goal difference, though they’ve played one more match than their Catalan rivals.
Player Loyalty Creates Management Dilemma
According to reports from Don Balon, three prominent Real Madrid stars have expressed to president Florentino Perez their desire for Ancelotti to remain beyond this summer:
- Ferland Mendy (left-back)
- Eduardo Camavinga (midfielder)
- Aurelien Tchouameni (midfielder)
All three French internationals reportedly share a “fantastic” relationship with the Italian tactician and wish to continue developing under his guidance. Their loyalty creates a significant dilemma for the club’s hierarchy.
Rumors about Ancelotti’s potential departure emerged as early as January, with Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso widely regarded as the preferred successor. The former Real Madrid midfielder has impressed dramatically at Leverkusen, establishing himself as one of Europe’s most promising young coaches.
Journalist Jorge Picon from Relevo has reported that Ancelotti remains “happy” at Real and expects to continue in his position until at least 2026 when his contract expires. However, as is tradition at the demanding Spanish giants, failing to secure the Champions League trophy could ultimately determine the 65-year-old’s fate.
Real currently hold a slender 2-1 advantage over city rivals Atletico Madrid in their Champions League round of 16 tie, but face a challenging second leg at the Wanda Metropolitano.
The potential exodus of Tchouameni might particularly interest Liverpool supporters, as the French midfielder has been heavily linked with a move to Anfield. Should Ancelotti depart, that transfer possibility could become more realistic.
This developing situation highlights the delicate balance of power at elite clubs, where player preferences can significantly impact management decisions. With Champions League progression and the La Liga title still in the balance, Ancelotti’s future—and potentially that of three key players—remains uncertain.
Are you a Real Madrid supporter concerned about this potential shakeup? Share your thoughts on who should lead Los Blancos next season in the comments below!