Fenerbahçe manager José Mourinho has weighed in on the debate surrounding Carlo Ancelotti’s future at Real Madrid, naming three potential candidates to succeed the Italian if a change is made.
Ancelotti led Los Blancos to a historic Champions League and LaLiga double in the 2021/22 season, but has since faced criticism after their struggles in both competitions this campaign. Under the increased pressure, former Real Madrid manager Mourinho, who was in charge from 2010 to 2013, spoke about potential successors and his love for the club.
I will always be a big Real Madrid fan because they have the best coach in the world, my friend Carlo [Ancelotti], and is doing very well,” Mourinho said, before acknowledging that such decisions were solely left to the club’s president, Florentino Pérez.
Mourinho identified three possible routes: turning to a young, promising coach such as Xabi Alonso; opting for continuity with an experienced manager, much like Ancelotti himself; or promotion from within, with Raul or Alvaro Arbeloa, currently at Real Madrid’s youth setup.
While not ruling out a possible return to the Santiago Bernabéu, the comments of Mourinho emphasized that what matters most is that the decision made on the manager should fall in line with the long-term vision of the club.
