Report: Alonso Will Succeed Ancelotti At Real Madrid

Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso stand on the pitch after the German Bundesliga soccer match between Bayer Leverkusen and FC Augsburg at BayArena. Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso is set to succeed Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid, the Spanish newspaper Marca reported on Friday. Federico Gambarini/dpa

Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso is set to succeed Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid, the Spanish newspaper Marca reported on Friday.

The Spaniard is expected to sign a three-year contract and Alonso will also take his assistants Sebas Parrilla and Alberto Encinas with him to Madrid.

There was no confirmation from Leverkusen. Marca is seen as a media outlet close to Real Madrid.

Wider media reports say Madrid and Ancelotti have already decided to go their separate ways after the Champions League quarter-final exit.

An announcement could come after the Clásico against Barcelona on Sunday if Madrid lose and the Catalans are near certain of the title.

It is still unclear who will be on the Madrid touchline during the Club World Cup in June. One option could be the director of professional football, Santiago Solari. Alonso would then take over for the new season.

Alonso, who still has a contract with Leverkusen until 2026 and led them to an unbeaten league and cup double last season, has repeatedly avoided questions about his future.

He has a press conference later on Friday ahead of the game against Borussia Dortmund on Sunday.