Real Madrid make Ancelotti replacement approach as Mourinho receives ‘HISTORIC’ offer
Robin Bairner
- 22 Nov 2023 06:28 CST
- 3 min read
Real Madrid have shortlisted a string of high-profile coaches to replace Carlo Ancelotti at the end of the season, with Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi having already been approached by the Bernabeu side, according to a report.
Ancelotti will leave Los Blancos to take charge of the Brazil national team when his contract expires in June, creating a void in the Real Madrid dugout.
The Spanish side have already drawn up a shortlist of names who could step into the void, with Bayer Leverkusen’s Xabi Alonso and Chelsea’s Mauricio Pochettino among the other leading candidates for the post.
In addition, there has been renewed speculation that Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni could take the post.
Speaking after his side beat Brazil 1-0 on Tuesday, he said: “I want some time to think because this team needs a coach who has all the possible energy. I have a lot to think about it during this period. These players have given us a lot and I need to think. It's not goodbye, but I need to think because the yardstick is very high.”
But according to Sport, it is De Zerbi who has been in most advanced contact with Real Madrid.
“Real Madrid have already contacted that Italian coach given that Florentino Perez believes that he is prepared to make a big step in his career,” it is stated. “Negotiations are in their initial phase but they consider that he would be an ideal candidate to lead a team of young candidates.”
Mourinho gets bumper offer
Former Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho, meanwhile, is not a candidate to return to the Bernabeu at this point, but the Roma head coach’s future is still uncertain.
Mourinho has been offered a “historic” offer from the Saudi Pro League that would make him the highest paid coach in the league.
Steven Gerrard is reportedly the highest-paid manager in the big-spending division, with a wage of €17.6m, which is just short of what his former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp earns at Anfield.
The German is the third-highest paid manager in the world on €18m per year, behind only Pep Guardiola (€22m) and Diego Simeone (€34m).
Mourinho appears poised to take Klopp’s place in the top three if he accepts the offer from Saudi Arabia.
