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Carlo Ancelotti has won 15 trophies across two spells as Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has called Xabi Alonso "one of the best in the world" amid rumours the Spaniard will replace him as Real Madrid manager. On Friday, Bayer Leverkusen head coach Alonso said he would be leaving the German club at the end of this season. Alonso is set to be announced as the new Real Madrid boss once Ancelotti's departure is officially confirmed. Speaking before Madrid's El Clasico La Liga fixture against rivals Barcelona on Sunday, Ancelotti said Alonso "has done an incredible job and he has the doors open to him because he has shown he is one of the best in the world". But the 65-year-old, who is rumoured to be the next Brazil manager, refused to directly answer any questions about own his managerial future. "With this club, the honeymoon doesn't end, " said Ancelotti. "The honeymoon with Madrid will last until the last day of my life. " Carlo Ancelotti has won 15 trophies across two spells as Real Madrid manager and last season led Los Blancos to a Champions League-La Liga double. But this campaign Real trail Barcelona by four points in the league with four matches remaining, and could end up without a trophy for the first time in four seasons. Last year, Alonso led Leverkusen to the Bundesliga title, without losing a game, and the German Cup in his first full season as a senior club manager. The Spaniard, 43, won the Champions League as a player at Real in 2014. What to look out for in El Clasico 'The pretender replacing a legend - a new era dawns at Real Madrid' Listen to the latest Football Daily podcast Comments can not be loaded To load Comments you need to enable Java Script in your browser Kane scores in comfortable win for champions Bayern 'Sorry if we got your hopes up' - Saints avoid unwanted record Record-breaking Watkins helps Villa beat Bournemouth Watch the new series of Race Across the World now The ultimate crash course in interior design is back Detectives recount cases which shaped their careers The hilarious mind of a dry-witted, grief-riddled woman 'My body shut down - it was a life or death situation' 'The pretender replacing a legend - a new era dawns at Real Madrid' Match of the Day - your questions answered We're disappointed Alexander-Arnold is leaving Liverpool - Slot. Video We're disappointed Alexander-Arnold is leaving Liverpool - Slot 12 from Leinster, two from Wales - the Lions squad in numbers The Giro d'Italia's race for pink is anyone's guess Isak? Sesko? Gyokeres? Inside Arsenal's summer plans Five talking points from Lions squad announcement PSG beat Arsenal in Paris to reach Champions League final. Video PSG beat Arsenal in Paris to reach Champions League final 'Clock ticking on Arteta to prove he can be a winner' Where does Inter v Barca rank among best-ever semi-finals? In Pictures: Sporting photos of the week Stunning stats and 'Ronaldo behaviour' - is Yamal cut out to rival Messi? 'Two concussions in a month was scary and it's why I'm retiring' Is the risk that Mercedes took with Antonelli paying off? Ask Me Anything, the BBC Sport service designed to serve you Copyright © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.