Carlo Ancelotti Talks Manchester City Amid Julen Lopetegui Real Madrid Rumours

Porto manager Julen Lopetegui is reportedly being eyed by Real Madrid as a potential replacement for current boss Carlo Ancelotti.

The Spaniard has impressed in his first season in charge at Porto, most recently beating Bayern Munich 3-1 in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final on Wednesday.

AS is now reporting that Lopetegui could be the man to replace Ancelotti, should he depart the Bernabeu as early as this summer:

Ancelotti led Real to the Champions League title last season, and his side are still on track to defend their European crown this year, as well as potentially pip Barcelona in La Liga.

However, the managerial position at Real is historically fragile, and the Italian's future in Madrid will be in serious jeopardy if he fails to win the Champions League again, or the domestic title.

Indeed, rumours have been circulating linking Ancelotti with the Manchester City job this summer, per The Sun:

While the 55-year-old denies any links with the City job—Jurgen Klopp is also a likely contender having announced his departure from Borussia Dortmund—Ancelotti has not ruled out the possibility that he will not have his contract extended at Real, per Marca:

"

I haven't had any calls from Manchester City. Earlier today people were saying Klopp might be going there. [...]

I'm in no hurry [to extend my contract]. I've got another year on my contract in which it will be decided if I sign a new one or not. We've spoken about sitting down to draw up a new deal, but no date has ever been set. If the club don't ring me about a new contract imminently, they may do so in September, or maybe they won't ring me.

"

Lopetegui—a former Real player that also had success at Barcelona—has impressed so far in his first season in charge at the Estadio do Dragao, per European football writer David Cartlidge:

While Porto are still three points back from table-topping Benfica in the race for the Portuguese league title, they have been hugely impressive in the Champions League.

Aside from their magnificent victory over Pep Guardiola's Bayern earlier this week, Porto also destroyed Basel 4-0 in the second leg of their last-16 tie, and they topped their group with ease, not losing a match.

The 48-year-old Lopetegui has little experience at senior club level, having managed only Rayo Vallecano and Real Madrid Castilla ahead of his hiring at Porto. 

Paulo Duarte/Associated Press

He has, however, impressed at international level, winning both the under-19 and under-21 European Championships with Spain.

Should Ancelotti depart the Bernabeu in the summer, Lopetegui would certainly be in the running to replace him. However, current Castilla coach Zinedine Zidane would also be in the running, per Canal+ (h/t Anthony Hay on MailOnline).  

It could well become a moot point if Ancelotti wins a title—or two—in the closing weeks of the season, but failure in La Liga and the Champions League could certainly result in him being shown the door.