Real Madrid draw up three-man shortlist of Carlo Ancelotti replacements including shock name nobody expected

Real Madrid have drawn up a three-man shortlist to replace Carlo Ancelotti amid calls for him to be sacked following their damaging defeat to Barcelona.

Pressure is mounting on Ancelotti, who is at risk of being sacked following Real’s drab start to the new season.

They trail cross-town rivals Atletico Madrid in La Liga and sit in 20th place in the Champions League standings, having won just three games in their European campaign.

And they suffered a humiliating 5-2 defeat to arch-rivals Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final last weekend.

There are calls for Ancelotti to be relieved of his duties at the Bernabeu amid the club’s form this season.According to Portuguese outlet Record, Real have three managers in their sights should they part ways with Ancelotti.

Per the report, the first is Xabi Alonso, who has enhanced his managerial reputation following his success at Bayer Leverkusen.

He played for Real during his career and is viewed as the ‘main candidate’ for the job.

The second is Raul, who, like Alonso, also played for the club as he enjoyed a legendary career. He currently manages the Castilla side and has been described as an ‘expert in the club’s history’.

Zinedine Zidane rounds off the shortlist, having already managed Real. He enjoyed great success as a manager, winning three Champions League titles.The Frenchman, however, is only seen as an alternative until the end of the current season.

Xabi Alonso is the ‘main candidate’ for the Real Madrid job. Image: Getty

Xabi Alonso is the ‘main candidate’ for the Real Madrid job. Image: Getty

Ancelotti, meanwhile, will be looking for a response when his side resume their campaign on Thursday.

Speaking in his post-match press conference after the Barca defeat, the veteran Italian boss said: “We have to look at the reality. We didn’t defend well. We tried to press high and defend with a low block. They scored the goals easily, and we didn’t work hard, collectively or individually.
We lost a lot of duels. That makes us sad and disappointed, but that’s football. We have to take that sadness home. I understand the sadness of our fans. We feel that, but we have to look forward, and prepare for the next game, and recover usethe good form we’d been in