Madrid's Next Move: An Italian Maestro Could Slide into Alonso's Shoes

Madrid's Coaching Dossier Opens a New Chapter

Real Madrid is weighing several options to replace Xabi Alonso, who was dismissed just hours after a 3-2 defeat to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final.

According to the French outlet Foot Mercato, Jurgen Klopp, the former Madrid boss, is the leading candidate on Florentino Perez's radar, but convincing him to leave Red Bull and join the Bernabéu seems unlikely for now.

Foot Mercato also notes that Real Madrid highly values the managerial style of Italian coach Enzo Mariska, who is available after parting ways with Chelsea.

Mariska had recorded 14 wins, seven draws, and seven losses with Chelsea this season before his January 1 departure.

Still, Mariska is reluctant to accept Madrid if he fears being a temporary fix while Klopp's summer move is revisited.

Multiple sources confirm Alonso's exit was not by mutual consent, as he was sacked after seven months in the role.

Perez reportedly longs to revert to Ancelotti's era approach, including re-hiring fitness coach Antonio Pintus, who had worked with the first team for years before being sidelined by Alonso.

Punchline 1: Madrid's scouting department is now essentially a dating app for coaches—swipe right if you’re ready to win and not just to chat.

Punchline 2: If this transfer saga had subtitles, they'd read: 'Wanted, a coach who can untangle Alonso's playbook before breakfast.'