Xabi Alonso appears to be a real option for Real Madrid once Carlo Ancelotti leaves the position.
The Bayer Leverkusen coach knows how to deal with rumors, as he once again demonstrated at the German side’s press conference on Friday.
“Coaching Madrid? It’s September, it’s early days,” Xabi responded to questions about the link to the Real Madrid post. “I remain focused. We started the season well, we want all the players to be focused. That’s why I have to be the first.”
Xabi was also asked about his players, about how it feels for his squad knowing that there are these rumors about the future of their coach: “The players know what soccer is like. That’s nothing new. We haven’t talked about it.”
Renewed until 2026 and not in a hurry
Xabi Alonso already explained to MARCA his plans for the future and what he thinks of a future move to Real Madrid: “Real Madrid? One thing at a time. Now I’m here, I’m very happy. Now I’m here, I’m very happy and what has to come in the future will be seen.
“Normally in soccer when you think in the medium to long term you lose focus of what you have closer and right now, I only think about what we have here.”
Ancelotti on Xabi Alonso
Ancelotti also isn’t paying much attention to the rumors surrounding his eventual successor.
“I have had him as a player and he has a great knowledge, he has that ability,” the Italian said a few days ago at a press conference.
“I wish him, Raul or Arbeloa to be coaches of Madrid because I love them very much and hopefully one day they can be coaches of Real Madrid.”