Firing Alonso, Real Madrid aims to appoint a coach with a world champion pedigree

After the surprising decision to sack Xabi Alonso, Real Madrid is rushing to find a successor, among whom Enzo Maresca, a coach who has won the FIFA Club World Cup, stands out thanks to a leadership style that recalls the Ancelotti period.

The announcement of Real Madrid parting ways with Xabi Alonso just hours after a 2-3 defeat to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final caused a major shock inside the club and in the Spanish media.

Alonso had only been in charge for less than seven months, succeeding Carlo Ancelotti’s successful tenure, but inconsistent results and performance pressure led the management to lose patience. Multiple sources indicate the decision was not unanimously agreed upon, yet president Florentino Perez opted for an early change to avoid prolonging the crisis.

For now, Real Madrid has appointed Alvaro Arbeloa as interim coach. However, according to Fabrizio Romano, this is only a temporary solution, and the Bernabeu hot seat could be handed to a new coach at any moment if results do not improve. In the search for a permanent successor, Real’s leadership prioritizes a candidate with top-level status, experience, and enough authority to manage a star-studded dressing room.

According to sources from Spain and France, the two top candidates highly regarded by Real Madrid are Jurgen Klopp and Enzo Maresca. Klopp is seen as a “dream candidate” due to his reputation, strong personality, and ability to build winning teams. However, this is unlikely to materialize since Klopp has publicly expressed his intention to take a break from coaching and does not want to return mid-season.

In this context, Enzo Maresca unexpectedly emerged as the leading candidate. According to Footmercato, Real Madrid highly values Maresca’s coaching style; he recently won the Club World Cup and is regarded as a coach who has “touched a world title.” Real’s management believes Maresca can somewhat recreate the Ancelotti era, especially in personnel management and building a balanced dressing room.

This indicates Maresca is seen not just as a temporary fix but as a long-term option if both parties reach an agreement. However, some opinions suggest Maresca will consider carefully, as he does not want to be a “stopgap” while Real waits for Klopp to change his mind in the summer.

Bookmakers currently rate Maresca as the number one candidate for Real Madrid’s head coach position, with the highest odds, surpassing Klopp and even legendary Zinedine Zidane. Zidane remains respected for his two successful spells at Bernabeu, but the chance of a third return is considered less likely.

As the 2025/26 season reaches a critical phase, Real Madrid’s next decision is not only about personnel but also shapes the strategic direction of the Spanish royal club.