Real Madrid eye Santiago Solari as interim manager amid Ancelotti exit links

Real Madrid’s director of football, Santiago Solari, could become the club’s interim coach amid Carlo Ancelotti’s uncertain future, according to Diario Sport.

Rumours have been rife that the Italian manager could step down at the end of the season following Madrid’s humiliating elimination from the Champions League at the hands of Arsenal.

Few reports suggest Ancelotti could leave after the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona later this month.

Los Blancos have identified Solari as a potential replacement on a make-shift basis if they end their association with Ancelotti.

They want the Argentine to prepare the team for the expanded FIFA Club World Cup, which will be played between June and July.

A former Castilla coach, Solari had a short yet not-so-memorable stint with Madrid’s first team when he replaced Julen Lopetegui as the caretaker manager in 2018.

Despite winning the Club World Cup, he was sacked following Los Blancos’ shocking elimination from the Champions League round of 16 by Ajax.

Castilla head coach Raul Gonzalez is another candidate for the interim manager.

Meanwhile, Los Merengues are eyeing a long-term manager to lead their project, with Jurgen Klopp and Xabi Alonso being the frontrunners.

Klopp is said to be unhappy with his current role as Global Head of Soccer at Red Bull and is keen on managing the Spanish giants.

The former Liverpool boss is also being monitored by the Brazilian national team for the head coach role.

On the other hand, Alonso’s contract at Bayer Leverkusen expires next year, and Los Blancos would have to shell out a considerable fee to prise him away from Germany. 

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