It`s rumored that Carlo Ancelotti`s second stint as Real Madrid coach is nearing its end. He`s expected to leave soon, raising the question of who will take over at one of Europe`s most ambitious clubs.

Ancelotti brought stability back to Real Madrid after his return in 2021. He secured two La Liga titles and two Champions League trophies, guiding the team as a new generation of stars emerged, including Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham. However, his second term was always going to be temporary, and recent reports suggest he might be leaving for the Brazil national team. While his departure seems probable, it`s still uncertain if he`ll remain for the Club World Cup in June.

Regardless of when Ancelotti leaves, his successor faces a significant challenge. Real Madrid`s recent Champions League exit against Arsenal highlighted the work needed. The team, despite its star power, hasn`t found consistent balance. An inconsistent defense and aging key players indicate a need for a refresh in several positions. The new manager will need to create a fresh vision for the team while maintaining the club`s high standards and winning expectations, even if a rebuild is necessary.

As we anticipate Real Madrid`s announcement about Ancelotti`s replacement, here`s a ranking of potential candidates.

5. Jurgen Klopp

Jurgen Klopp`s name has surprisingly surfaced, possibly due to reports from Brazil suggesting he is unhappy in his global soccer role at Red Bull, which he took just months ago. While it`s intriguing to imagine what Klopp could achieve with Real Madrid`s talent, this move seems very unlikely. Klopp`s agent has stated that he is `very happy` in his current position. It`s probably safe to rule him out.

4. Raul

Real Madrid could look internally, and Raul would be the leading internal candidate. A club legend, Raul has managed the reserve team since 2019 and is likely seeking a promotion. However, he might lack the experience for such a demanding role. His situation is similar to Santiago Solari, who moved from managing Real Madrid`s reserves to the senior team in 2018 but was replaced after a Champions League defeat to Ajax.

3. Zinedine Zidane

Re-hiring Zinedine Zidane would almost be like an internal appointment, given his legendary status as both a player and manager at Real Madrid. He`s available after leaving the club in 2021. However, bringing back Zidane might not be a long-term solution. It`s believed he has been waiting for the opportunity to coach the French national team.

2. Andoni Iraola

Andoni Iraola has impressed during his two seasons at Bournemouth, establishing himself as a promising manager. Bigger clubs are noticing him, with links to the Tottenham Hotspur job if they decide to move on from Ange Postecoglou. Iraola is likely to be considered by several clubs soon, and a move from Bournemouth could happen relatively quickly. However, like Raul, it might be too early in his career for a job as significant as Real Madrid.

1. Xabi Alonso

Ever since Xabi Alonso`s Bayer Leverkusen was on track to win their first Bundesliga title, he has been considered a top candidate for several major jobs – including Liverpool, Bayern Munich, and Real Madrid, all clubs where he previously played. With Liverpool and Bayern Munich choosing other directions, Real Madrid seems perfectly positioned to hire Alonso. He is arguably the most impressive young manager in football. His time at Leverkusen has been exceptional, taking them from relegation contenders to Bundesliga champions in two years, in a league dominated by Bayern Munich. He has implemented an attractive and effective playing style at Leverkusen and developed young talents like Florian Wirtz, making Leverkusen one of Europe`s most exciting teams.

Moving to Real Madrid would be a different challenge due to the immense expectations and pressure. However, a manager of his quality needs to take such a step, and he has earned the chance to prove himself at this level. The job seems to be his if he wants it – and it`s hard to imagine he wouldn`t.