Real Madrid are aiming to have Xabi Alonso as their new manager in time for the start of next month’s Club World Cup in the United States.
Sources indicate that the current plan is for the 43-year-old Alonso to travel to Madrid on June 1st to begin preparations with the team ahead of their inaugural FIFA tournament match on June 18th against the Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal in Miami.
Read Also: Xabi Alonso to be named new Real Madrid manager as Ancelotti departs
Alonso, a former Real Madrid, Liverpool, and Spain midfielder, announced his departure from German club Bayer Leverkusen at the end of the current season on Friday.
Current Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti is expected to receive a farewell, likely at the final home game of the season against Real Sociedad at the Bernabeu on May 25th.
Read Also: Club World Cup, World Cup to deliver $62bn global GDP boost- FIFA
As of now, Real Madrid have not publicly confirmed Ancelotti’s anticipated departure or Alonso’s impending arrival.
Real Madrid’s defence of their La Liga title suffered a significant blow on Saturday with a 4-3 defeat to league leaders Barcelona, leaving them seven points adrift with only three games remaining.
While the exact timing of Alonso’s arrival is yet to be finalised, Real Madrid have reportedly communicated their desire for him to take charge in the USA, considering the Club World Cup a highly important competition.
Leverkusen reportedly had a gentleman’s agreement with Alonso allowing him to depart if approached by one of his former clubs, Liverpool, Bayern Munich, or Real Madrid. Alonso’s long-term ambition has always reportedly included managing Liverpool at some point in his career.
