Xabi Alonso 'one of the best coaches in the world', says Carlo Ancelotti

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti hailed Xabi Alonso as "one of the best coaches in the world" amid speculation the Spaniard will replace him at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Alonso confirmed on Friday that he will be leaving Bayer Leverkusen at the end of this season after almost three years in charge.

The former Real Madrid midfielder has been heavily linked with a return to the Spanish capital as Ancelotti's successor, with the decorated Italian set to depart upon conclusion of the current campaign.

"I saw [Alonso's announcement]," Ancelotti mentioned in a press conference on Saturday.

"I've read he's leaving Leverkusen, where he's done a fantastic job.

All doors are open to him, because he's shown himself to be one of the best coaches in the world.

Real Madrid trail rivals Barcelona by four points in the La Liga standings heading into Sunday's decisive El Clasico at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys.

Irrespective of whether Los Blancos successfully defend their La Liga crown or not, Ancelotti's second stint at the Bernabeu has been a resounding success having won the most trophies of any Madrid coach, including his second and third UEFA Champions League titles with the club.

"The honeymoon with this club never ends," Ancelotti said. "The honeymoon will continue forever. Real Madrid is like [AC] Milan, teams that stay in your heart more than others.

"If you ask about the honeymoon as coach, I don't know, but the honeymoon continues. Like any relationship, there's a lot of passion at first, and then there are a lot of other things, when the passion goes, there are other things like affection.

"I think my honeymoon with Real Madrid will continue all my life."

Alonso no doubt has large shoes to fill after being identified by club president Florentino Perez as the long-term fit for his Real Madrid ambitions.

The 43-year-old led Leverkusen to an unprecedented unbeaten campaign in the Bundesliga which culminated in their first league title, while Alonso also added the German Cup in his first full season as a senior club manager.

Jaquob Crooke

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