ROBERTO DE ZERBI has reportedly emerged as a shock target for Real Madrid as they draw up a list of managerial options.
The Spanish giants are said to be drawing up candidates as Carlo Ancelotti edges closer to the expiration of his current deal.
Ancelotti’s contract at the Bernabeu expires in the summer and he is expected to leave after agreeing to take over as boss of the Brazil national team in 2024.
And with Madrid’s first loss of the season coming at the weekend, speculation has started to grow around who might come in to replace him.
Following Los Blancos' 3-1 away defeat to bitter rivals Atletico Madrid on Sunday, Cadena SER reported that the club have drawn up a number of options to replace him when he does leave.
And amongst that list is believed to be Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi who has been nothing short of spectacular since taking over the south coast club last September.
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The Seagulls have been flying high ever since and earned themselves a place in the Europa League at the end of last season.
And they’ve not stopped performing this term either as they currently sit third in the Premier League table with five wins from their six matches so far.
However despite the eye-catching job that De Zerbi is pulling off at the AMEX, he isn’t said to be the number one name on the list.
Instead former Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso is reportedly the leading candidate after impressing with his work at Bayer Leverkusen.
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The German outfit are currently level on points with Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga and are yet to lose a game this season.
And Alonso isn’t the only ex-pro to have donned the famous Real Madrid white that is being considered for the role.
Alvaro Arbeloa and Raul Gonzalez are both said to be in the running with the pair currently working at the club already for the youth squad and the Real Madrid Castilla team.
Although it would appear even Ancelotti thinks Alonso could be the right man for the job after he spoke out in support of him taking over one day.
In a recent interview the Italian gaffer said: “Look, I've had Alonso, as a player. His knowledge of football is top level.
"He's doing great with Bayer Leverkusen because he does these readings. This ability, I wish him as well as Arbeloa and Raul, I really wish [for] them to coach at Real Madrid one day."
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