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Who could be Xabi Alonso's long-term replacement at Real Madrid?
They say that bad things come in threes, and for Real Madrid, that is exactly the case as 2026 has kicked off like a horror show.
Los Blancos suffered a detrimental El Clásico defeat in the Supercopa de España in Saudi Arabia, with footage appearing to show Real players ignoring Xabi Alonso's request for them to applaud the Barcelona players.
Then, Real announced the departure of Alonso the following day, bringing an abrupt end to his turbulent seven-month reign at the Bernabéu.
New head coach Álvaro Arbeloa started his stint in humiliating fashion, succumbing to a 3-2 defeat to second-tier outfit Albacete in the Copa del Rey Round of 16.
With the 15-time Champions League winners expected to take their time before deciding on a long-term successor, DAZN News analyses who the club could appoint next.
Jürgen Klopp
Since leaving Liverpool at the end of the 2023-24 season, football fans around the world have been pondering when Jurgen Klopp might return to management.
The German is currently working as the head of global soccer for the Red Bull football organisation, overseeing clubs like RB Leipzig and RB Salzburg.
Although he has stated that he does not miss coaching and that he does not plan a return to management, Real Madrid are a club that are continuously linked with his name.
Indeed, if Florentino Pérez does decide to go for a blockbuster appointment, then they do not get much bigger than 'the normal one'.
(Getty Images)
Zinedine Zidane
Could Real turn to club legend Zinedine Zidane, who is the third most successful manager in the club's 124-year history?
The Frenchman has already been in the hotseat twice before, having managed the Spanish side for 149 matches between 2016 and 2018 and 114 matches between 2019 and 2021.
Zidane would become only the second manager in the club's history to be appointed for a third time, with Luis Molowny the only man to have managed on four separate occasions.
During his first stint at the Bernabéu, Zizou won nine major honours, including three successive Champions Leagues and was able to tame some of world football's most inflated egos in the process.
While his second spell in charge was far less fruitful, he bleeds Real Madrid and would have the opportunity to become the most successful manager in the club's history.
FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images
Álvaro Arbeloa
While his first game in charge cannot have gone any worse, it seems that Arbeloa will have plenty of time to prove his credentials in the Spanish capital.
The former defender returned to his boyhood club as a player in 2009 and has been there ever since, having coached the youth team and Real Madrid Castilla (the club's reserve team) before his recent appointment.
Although Real rarely promotes academy coaches to the first team, Zidane and Vicente Del Bosque are examples of recent managers to have been given the job after successful starts as head coaches.
If the 42-year-old does want the job beyond the end of the season, then he will surely have to win some silverware to convince Perez.
Getty Images
Oliver Glasner
Having just announced that he will leave Crystal Palace at the end of the season, Oliver Glasner is likely to be a wanted man, with several European juggernauts eyeing a new boss.
The Austrian has worked wonders in South East London, having guided the Eagles to their first major trophy, the FA Cup, before toppling Premier League champions Liverpool in the Community Shield.
After successful spells in England and Germany, Glasner is now ready to manage one of Europe's elite, with Manchester United also said to be considering a summer approach for him.
Whether the 51-year-old's style of play would be the right fit for Los Blancos remains to be seen, but nobody can argue against his ability as a manager.
Ed Sykes/Sportsphoto/Allstar Via Getty Images
Thomas Tuchel
Another man who could be available in the summer is Thomas Tuchel, who is set to embark on his first major international tournament with England.
The German was hoisted into the Three Lions hotseat to lift a first World Cup since 1966, and his side will indeed enter the spectacle as one of the major players.
Tuchel has hinted that he could stay on as England boss beyond the summer, regardless of whether they win or lose, but his future is unlikely to become clearer until after the tournament.
The 52-year-old proved that he can coach some of the world's best players during his time at PSG and Chelsea, and therefore should feel comfortable coaching the likes of Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappé.
However, with Man United also said to be keen, Real could face a battle for his services, especially given his love affair with England.
Michael Regan - The FA/The FA via Getty Images
Unai Emery, Andoni Iraola and Julian Naggelsmann also options
If Real Madrid want a Spaniard at the helm, then the Premier League duo of Unai Emery and Andoni Iraola must surely be considered.
Emery has done a stellar job at Aston Villa and somehow has them competing for the Champions League places yet again, despite not being able to strengthen his squad significantly since last season. While his time at Arsenal may stand against him, he has surely done enough in the West Midlands to warrant another crack at a European powerhouse.
As for Iraola, he must be given credit for the job he has done at Bournemouth despite their worrying drop in form this campaign. During his two-and-a-half-year spell on the South Coast, the Cherries are playing attractive football, while developing young players into exceptional talents.
Finally, Julian Naggelsmann is another international manager who will be on the radar of Europe's elite should he leave his position as Germany boss after the World Cup. The former Bayern boss is contracted until the summer of 2028, but could be tempted by a move back to club football.
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