Real Madrid is in a transition moment that promises to shake the foundations of the club. After a complicated season, marked by the elimination in the quarterfinals of the Champions League against Arsenal, the continuity of Carlo Ancelotti hits a thread. The rumors about their departure have gained strength, and the name of Xabi Alonso, current coach of Bayer Leverkusen, resonates intensity as the favorite to take the reins of the white bench in the summer of 2025. But what has really ignited the alarms among the Madrid fans is the news that, if you reach Santiago Bernabéu, Alonso has a clear plan: repatriate two jewelry Gutierrez and Nico Paz, to revitalize the team.
A necessary change of course
The second stage of Carlo Ancelotti in Real Madrid has been full of successes, with two Champions League and a league, among other titles. However, the 2024-2025 campaign has exhibited cracks in the project. The lack of consistency, the problems to replace Toni Kroos and the inability to dominate the parties have generated doubts in the directive headed by Florentino Pérez. According to sources close to the club, Ancelotti could be living its last months in Chamartín, with a contract that extends until 2026 but without guarantees of continuity.
In this context, Xabi Alonso emerges as the ideal candidate. His success at the Bayer Leverkusen, where he conquered the Bundesliga 2023-2024, the German Cup and the German Super Cup, has made him one of the most sought-after coaches in Europe. His style of play, which combines verticality, possession and high pressure, fits with the Real Madrid philosophy. In addition, his past as a white player and his deep knowledge of the club make him a figure that excites the fans.
The return of the jewelry of the quarry
If Alonso lands at the Bernabéu, his priority will be to reinforce the template with young talent and hunger of glory. According to recent reports, the Basque coach is sightd in two former Real Madrid players: Miguel Gutiérrez and Nico Paz, both with repurchase clauses that facilitate their return.
Miguel Gutiérrez: The side of the future
Miguel Gutiérrez, currently in Girona, has proven to be one of LaLiga’s best left side. With a repurchase clause of 9 million euros (which increases 1 million per season), its return is a viable operation for Real Madrid. At 23, Gutiérrez provides defensive balance, offensive projection and technical quality that make it suitable for Alonso’s scheme. The irregularity of Ferland Mendy and Fran García in the position has led the directive to reconsider its commitment to the canterano, who already left flashes of its potential during its stage in the first team.
However, Alonso has also shown interest in Álvaro Carreras, side of Benfica, suggesting that he is determined to strengthen that position with a young and dynamic player, regardless of who is chosen.
Nico Paz: Kroos’s heir
On the other hand, Nico Paz, transferred to like Italy for 6 million euros, is another of Alonso’s bets. With an 8 million repurchase clause, the Spanish-Argentine midfielder of 20 years has shone in series A, showing a vision of the game, creativity and arrival in the area. His departure from Real Madrid was marked by frustration against the few opportunities under the orders of Ancelotti, but his evolution in Italy has convinced the directive that it can be a key piece in the future.
Alonso sees in peace a generational relief for the center of the field, especially after the removal of Kroos. His ability to manage the tempo of the party and his versatility makes him an ideal profile for the new Madrid project.
An ambitious project
The possible arrival of Xabi Alonso not only implies a change on the bench, but an integral renewal of the team. In addition to Gutiérrez and Paz, there is talk of other names such as Florian Wirtz, Alonso pupil in Leverkusen, whose signing could be around 100 million euros. This movement would reflect the club’s ambition for combining experience and youth to dominate Europe again.
In social networks, fans already speculate with the alignment that Alonso could form. Some users in X have proposed outputs such as Lucas Vázquez, David Alaba or Luka Modrić to give way to a cooler template, with Gutierrez on the left side and peace as a relay in the midfield.
Alonso’s challenge
Taking the reins of Real Madrid will not be an easy task. The pressure to win titles, the management of a costumes full of stars and the expectations of the fans are challenges Alonso must face. However, his career in Leverkusen shows that he is prepared for the challenge. Their ability to enhance young players and their tactical vision could return to Real Madrid the spark that has been missing this season.
The summer of 2025 is emerging as a turning point for the white club. With Xabi Alonso in command and the return of talents such as Miguel Gutiérrez and Nico Paz, Real Madrid could be before the beginning of a new golden era. Fans, meanwhile, hopefully wait for the return of a prodigal son who promises to return the team to the top of world football.
