Real line up Xabi Alonso to replace Ancelotti with Italian set for shock new job

REAL MADRID are lining up Xabi Alonso to replace Carlo Ancelotti as boss, according to reports.

The Italian's future in the Spanish capital has come under the microscope since his side's Champions League exit earlier this week.

Speaking ahead of tomorrow night's clash with Athletic Bilbao, Ancelotti refused to confirm that he will remain in charge of Los Blancos for the Club World Cup this summer.

According to The Athletic, Real Madrid chiefs have already "sounded out" Alonso over replacing Ancelotti.

The Bayer Leverkusen boss, 43, played under Ancelotti with both Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.

Last season, the ex-Liverpool star guided Leverkusen to Bundesliga title and DFB Pokal successes, while also reaching the Europa League final.

Alonso is the favourite to replace Ancelotti, should the 65-year-old leave the Bernabeu as expected.

Ancelotti could go on to manage Brazil at the 2026 World Cup.

The experienced boss has long been linked with the Selecao.

It's claimed that a representative of Brazil's football federation was in attendance at Real Madrid's clash with Arsenal this week ahead of meetings with Ancelotti.

The Selecao are currently without a manager following Dorival Junior's sacking last month.

Real Madrid, meanwhile, could cut the gap to Barcelona at the top of LaLiga to four points with a win over Athletic Bilbao.

They will also face Barca in the Copa del Rey final on April 26, after which Ancelotti's future is set to further come under the microscope.

Speaking earlier today, the under-pressure boss said: "We're still competing for trophies. We have one [the Copa del Rey final] in a week, and we have the first ever Club World Cup at the end of the season, it wouldn't be right to do it now.

"All I can do is thank these players, I've enjoyed this and I want to keep doing so. We're still united, we have a great relationship."

Ancelotti then went on to add: "At the end of the season, I'll talk about that with the club.

"I don't want to talk about my future today. It's an obvious question, but I don't want to talk about it.

"So all I say is we'll talk about it with the club at the end of the season."

Ancelotti won LaLiga and the Champions League last season.

But a trophyless campaign this time around could spell the end of his second spell in Madrid.