This season has certainly been very memorable for reigning Champions League and La Liga winners Real Madrid. Los Blancos’ 4-3 loss against rivals Barcelona last Sunday all but ensured that Madrid would finished second in La Liga, meaning that Madrid will finish this year without a trophy for the first time since the 2020/21 season. With many changes seemingly only a matter of time for Madrid, what will the next few years look like?
A new era?
This summer is set to be the start of a new generation for Real. Former Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti was confirmed this week as the new coach of Brazil, ending his four-year reign. While not announced by the club, it is heavily rumored the former Madrid player Xabi Alonso will take over. The Spaniard is coming from a very successful stint with Leverkusen, having won a domestic double last season, including an unbeaten Bundesliga campaign.
It will certainly be very interesting to see how Alonso sets up Madrid. He found success in Germany playing a 3-4-2-1, which is different from the 4-2-3-1 that Ancelotti had put out this year. Whichever formation Xabi Alonso decides to play will certainly have an impact on the summer and recruitment for president Florentino Pérez
Fresh faces
Real won’t just have a new manager next season. There are set to be a lot of new players brought into the club as well. While not confirmed yet, Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold is expected to slot in at right back. Trent is not the only defender who is linked to the Spanish capital. Defenders such as Alejandro Grimaldo, Jonathan Tah, and Dean Huijsen have all been linked with a summer move to Madrid. The rumors come off a historically bad season, with a record four El Clásico losses which included 16 goals for Barca.
Ending of an injury crisis
There will also be some help coming from inside of the club as well. Real Madrid have been without David Alaba, Antonio Rüdiger, Eder Militao, and others. With the upcoming Club World Cup beginning in late June, Madrid should have a more strengthened squad for Xabi Alonso to use in his first games as manager.
There is no doubt that the departure of Carlo Ancelotti symbolizes the start of a new period at Real Madrid. While this season has been a disappointment for the lofty standards of Real, the arrival of Xabi Alonso and many other stars should prove to be valid building blocks for a new dynasty in Real