Former Chelsea Manager Enzo Maresca, now the favourite to be the next Real Madrid manager after the SACKING of Xavi Alonso this Evening
Recent reports indicate that Enzo Maresca could potentially follow in Carlo Ancelotti’s footsteps by taking the reins at Real Madrid in the wake of Xabi Alonso’s dismissal, although Jurgen Klopp remains the club’s dream appointment.
While the club’s internal struggles this season had been widely known, it still sent shockwaves through football when Real Madrid announced earlier today that Xabi Alonso had been relieved of his duties just hours after a disappointing 3-2 Spanish Super Cup defeat to Barcelona.
Multiple sources have confirmed this was far from a mutual decision, meaning he was effectively sacked a mere seven months after replacing Italian coaching legend Ancelotti at the helm.
Italian Carlo Ancelotti attends a press conference where he was presented as new head coach of men’s Brazilian national soccer team in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 26 May 2025. Ancelotti announced his first squad list for Brazil’s 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Ecuador and Paraguay. EPA-EFE/Andre Coelho
Spanish media outlets are reporting this evening that club president Florentino Perez is determined to return to the Ancelotti era’s managerial philosophy, which would include reuniting with Italian fitness guru Antonio Pintus once again.
While their ultimate target remains former Liverpool boss Klopp, landing such a high-profile appointment in the middle of the season seems highly unrealistic.
Maresca, manager of Chelsea FC looks on during a training session at Chelsea Training Ground on December 08, 2025 in Cobham, England. (Photo by Jasper Wax/Getty Images)
Maresca, who turns 46 next month, had compiled a respectable record of 14 wins, seven draws and seven defeats during his time at Chelsea this season before his departure on January 1.
However, the Italian tactician may also have reservations about accepting the role if he believes he’s simply being used as a temporary placeholder until Klopp can be persuaded to take over during the summer transfer window.
