8 Potential Replacements for Xabi Alonso as Real Madrid Head Coach
If you don't have instant success at Real Madrid, you're bound to be finding a new job sooner rather than later.
Just ask Xabi Alonso.
The former World Cup winner was relieved of his duties on Monday, a day after Los Blancos lost the Spanish Supercopa to Barcelona.
The thought immediately turns to who will replace Alonso in the hot seat at the Bernabeu. Who will club President Florentino Perez choose? And who will be brave enough to take on the responsibility?
With that all in mind, here are eight potential replacements to ponder.
Carlo Ancelotti
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They say familiarity breeds contempt, but it can also deliver comfort.
Carlo Ancelotti has had two spells as Real Madrid boss, delivering two La Liga titles, three Champions League trophies and a host of other gongs across both stints.
He left the club for a second time at the end of the 2024-25 season to become head coach of the Brazil national team, and things haven't exactly gone to plan so far. The 66-year-old has only won four of eight games, which is slightly concerning with a World Cup on the horizon.
However, Ancelotti is synonymous with the Spanish capital's most successful club, and he might be tempted to steer Los Blancos away from serious trouble.
While it's unlikely he will step away from the Brazil job, given the opportunity to manage at the World Cup for the first time in his career, an arrangement could be reached that would see him cover two roles simultaneously, at least on an interim basis.
It wouldn't be the first time someone has managed both a club and an international team simultaneously.
Whether that potential interim spell turns into a permanent role is another question entirely.
Zinedine Zidane
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On the subject of familiarity, Zinedine Zidane could step in for his third spell as Real Madrid boss.
The 53-year-old won two La Liga titles as Los Blancos manager across two stints and also claimed three Champions League titles.
He was hired in midseason on both occasions, so he's no stranger to putting out fires. He's also a free agent, so there's no need to drag him away from other duties.
While it might not be a long-term arrangement, since he's never spent more than two-and-a-half years in charge in either stay, he could at least steady the ship this season before a long-term option is considered.
Alvaro Arbeloa
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Zidane's first successful spell in charge of the Los Blancos senior team came after he was plucked from the reserve squad.
If Real Madrid wants to repeat the trick, the club's hierarchy will be casting its gaze toward Alvaro Arbeloa, who is in charge of the Castilla setup.
The club's former right-back doesn't quite have the same level of experience Zidane had when the Frenchman made the step up to the big job, but the Spaniard already has some admirers within the club.
It would be a seamless appointment, and there's no doubt the 42-year-old will have been watching the first team's fortunes with interest.
Raúl
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Another option who has experience in the Castilla setup is Raúl, who departed as the reserve team manager at the end of the 2024-25 season after six years in charge.
The club legend has not taken on another role since, perhaps waiting for the right opportunity to emerge.
The step up to the first team is a big one, but Zidane has done so successfully, so why not Raúl?
It might be worth a shot as an interim appointment, giving the club the chance to test out whether the 48-year-old has the requisite managerial capabilities in senior football before handing him the job permanently.
It would also give Arbeloa more time to gain experience before perhaps doing the same thing a little later on.
Jürgen Klopp
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On The Diary of a CEO podcast (h/t Sports Illustrated) Jürgen Klopp said he would never manage another club in England that wasn't Liverpool.
That doesn't mean he would never return to football management elsewhere, though.
While the German is now the head of global soccer for Red Bull, he could be tempted to return to the dugout if perhaps the biggest job in the club game became available.
The 58-year-old has a reputation for rebuilding confidence and getting the best out of the players at his disposal, and while the talent available at Real Madrid is phenomenal, there's no doubt something is lacking.
It's possible the club is still a little disoriented following the departures of stalwarts like Karim Benzema, Toni Kroos and Luka Modric in the last few years.
Klopp had a similar job at Liverpool, dealing with the squad transition as Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard bid farewell to Anfield. Perhaps he's the man to truly herald a new era at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Simone Inzaghi
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After four successful years with Internazionale, which saw him take the club to a Serie A title and two Champions League finals, Simone Inzaghi left Italy at the end of the 2024-25 campaign to take charge of Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League.
While the 49-year-old hasn't got his new club at the top of the table, he's still undefeated in league action, and the Blue Wave are just four points behind league leaders Al-Nassr.
There is no doubting Inzaghi's acumen, and for a club that prides itself on European success, it could do a lot worse than a manager who has shown a talent for guiding his teams to the latter stages of Champions League tournaments.
The sticking point might be compensation, not just for a manager who is reportedly earning €26 million ($30 million) a year in Saudi Arabia, per Fabrizio Romano, but also for a club that won't let him go for nothing.
Antonio Conte
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Another Italian could be on the shortlist, with Real Madrid surely putting Antonio Conte's name down in pencil.
The 56-year-old took Napoli to the Serie A title in his first season in charge in 2024-25, and he's also won three Italian league titles with Juventus and one with Internazionale.
He also guided Chelsea to Premier League glory in 2016-17, showing he can do the business outside of his native country.
That will no doubt be appealing for Real Madrid. A manager known for building a team based on defensive strength might not be ideal for a squad that boasts serious attacking riches, but that solid base could be exactly what is needed to let the forward players shine.
Cesc Fabregas
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Xabi Alonso might have been considered the hottest young Spanish coach on the planet before his Real Madrid appointment, but Cesc Fabregas is not far behind.
It should probably be assumed that the former Barcelona midfielder will be holding out for the Blaugrana position when it becomes available, but it would be hard to turn down the Real job if the club comes calling.
The 38-year-old is doing a phenomenal job with Como in Italy. After being involved with the playing staff when the club secured promotion in 2023-24, he took the team to 10th in Serie A last season in his first year as a full head coach.
In 2025-26, the 38-year-old has Como up in sixth after 14 games. While the team is well-backed financially, it's difficult not to be impressed by its success.
Managing Los Blancos would be a massive undertaking, but Fabregas has demonstrated no fear in making bold moves in his managerial career so far.
