Xabi Alonso, Real Madrid option for the future

Xabi Alonso has progressed greatly as a coach. After hanging up his boots, the former midfielder joined Real Madrid's youth ranks. He then took charge of Real Sociedad B and promoted them to the second division. Now, he is excelling at Bayer Leverkusen.

His move to the Bundesliga came as a surprise after managing in Segunda and not having been a first-team coach. However, he has re-energised the German side and brought them back to a more consistent position, as they sit in ninth place, seven points behind Europa League places.

His experience in star-studded dressing rooms (Liverpool, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich) gives him the know-how to manage top players. That is why 'Sport' advanced that the club are considering him as an option for the future in the event of Carlo Ancelotti's departure.

It is a gamble as risky as it is brave for a coach with little experience, although he is backed by the fact that he took the team second-bottom and is now in mid-table. A win over Bochum in the next round would be the Spaniard's fifth consecutive win.

His return to the Santiago Bernabeu is taken for granted, although no date has been set. Another on the shortlist of possible candidates is Raul Gonzalez, the current Real Madrid's reserve teamcoach, who could follow in the footsteps of three-time Champions League winner Zinedine Zidane.