Real Madrid looking to TWO former Chelsea managers as next boss: report

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez (Image credit: Getty Images)

Real Madrid are rumoured to be looking at two former Chelsea managers as they eye a replacement for Xabi Alonso.

Alonso, 44, left the Bernabeu after less than eight months in charge earlier this week, with Los Blancos trailing Barcelona by just four points in the La Liga table.

Real Madrid shortlist two former Chelsea managers as Alonso successor

Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso

Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso lasted less than eight months (Image credit: Getty Images)

It's been a torrid spell for Alonso since he left Bayer Leverkusen, with it appearing on the surface that he has never had a strong hold on the dressing room.

Scathing reports suggested the Spaniard went face-to-face with Kylian Mbappe over tactics before Sunday's final with Barcelona, with that tie ultimately the straw that broke the camel's back.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp smiles after his side's 1-1 draw against Manchester City at Anfield in March 2024.

Jurgen Klopp is on Florentino Perez's shortlist (Image credit: Getty Images)

As such, the 44-year-old was sacked on Monday with former defender Alvaro ‍Arbeloa promoted from the club's B team as the interim head coach.

But some huge names have already been linked with the job in the Spanish capital, including two who have previously held roles with Chelsea in the Premier League.

According to Fichajes, Jurgen Klopp is the leading candidate, with Madrid willing to offer the German coach a huge contract to lead them forward over the next few year.

Klopp has been out of a job since leaving Anfield back in 2024 and won eight major trophies during his time on Merseyside.

But elsewhere, Enzo Maresca and Antonio Conte are also names being drawn up by Perez and his team, with the former having most recently been axed at Stamford Bridge.

BERGAMO, ITALY - DECEMBER 09: Enzo Maresca, Manager of Chelsea, speaks to the media in a post match press conference conference following the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD6 match between Atalanta BC and Chelsea FC at Stadio di Bergamo on December 09, 2025 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Chris Ricco - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

Enzo Maresca has been linked with Real Madrid (Image credit: Getty Images)

Winning the FIFA Club World Cup and the UEFA Conference League with the Blues last term, Maresca is also said to be wanted by Manchester City, should Pep Guardiola call time on his spell in England later this year.

Conte, on the other hand, is still with Napoli and has done a terrific job over the last few years, none more so than coaching former Manchester United man Scott McTominay to god-like status in Naples.

Matthew Holt

Matthew Holt writes freelance for FourFourTwo, amongst others, and boasts previous experience at GOAL and SPORTBible. He now works with us alongside his time at Manchester United and Reach PLC, aiding with online content for the website. Career highs include working at the FA Cup final, as well as scoring at Old Trafford in front of the Stretford End. A long-term sufferer of his beloved Scunthorpe United, he is often seen on the padel court, as well as occasionally as a six-a-side call-up.

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.