Real Madrid stuns with coaching move no one saw coming | OneFootball

Real Madrid has already thought about a name to take over as soon as Carlo Ancelotti says goodbye for good from the merengue bench. And his name is not an eleventh-hour missile, nor a hyperbolic declaration from atop the shelf of European soccer. It's Santiago Solari. Yes, him. The Argentine who already had his opportunity between 2018 and 2019 and who, having a brief résumé and poor performance at the time, is now being looked at as a stopgap again. What does this reveal about the club's present moment? A lot. Primarily that Real Madrid already knows where it wants to go, it just can't quite get there yet.

Carlo Ancelotti, Paulo Roberto Falcao, Santiago Solari | Angel Martinez/GettyImages

Real Madrid with a calculated detour

Let's come to the point directly, Solari is not coming back to be Real Madrid's future. He's being plugged in as some kind of "institutional shortcut." The board needs someone who knows the locker room, does not create tensions, takes on the temporary role without raising expectations and, if possible, continues to add value to the team until the official name assumes charge. And in this situation, Solari slips in like a silent glove.

According to Diario AS, the internal choice already has been made by Real Madrid, although soon Ancelotti will be leaving, and Real Madrid's top priority is Xabi Alonso. But, there is one logistical (strategic) snag: Xabi still has commitments at Bayer Leverkusen where not only did he perform an amazing job but is still fighting for the title of the Bundesliga, something they have never experienced there. well, ever. He took Leverkusen to a new level. Hasting this change too early could put pressure on the relationship or rush a process that Real clearly wishes to proceed at its own pace. And then, Solari.

The comeback of a coach who failed to leave a mark

In training, Solari led Real Madrid for 32 matches. It was a short, unpredictable stint that ended without leaving an emotional or tactical mark. But, significantly, he did something that is now meaningful: he was the one who provided Vinícius Júnior with more space in the first team. It's not an exaggeration to say Solari had better vision than other top coaches of the time. He saw something in Vini before the world saw it. And that is true behind the scenes. The locker room remembers. The club does too. But let's be practical: Solari isn't coming back because of what he did on the field. He's coming back because he's solid off it. He won't attempt to overshadow the players or steal the spotlight. He'll keep things tidy, manage the team, and allow the board to think about what's next without the worry of an inexperienced caretaker or a big-name figure demanding stability.

With a solid job in Germany, Xabi Alonso is Real Madrid's great desire | Lars Baron/GettyImages

Real looks at Xabi with the profile of Guardiola or Arteta: a veteran great player with tactical insight, natural leadership, and ability to build a modern team. But for that, there needs to be time. Rushing in this case is a trap. That is why Solari comes as this institutional bridge, as AS perfectly put it, that will enable the arrival of Xabi quietly, without noise, and without urgency, and above all, without risk.

Ancelotti already has a destination

Here, however, the CBF is working insistently to make Ancelotti leave and prepare the Brazilian national team. The intention is that the Italian technician be already in charge for the next FIFA window, in June. That is, Ancelotti would leave Real Madrid before the Club World Cup, a tournament that for the Spanish squad is symbolic but not necessary. For Brazil, though, it would signal the beginning of something new. The timing of Ancelotti’s departure also aligns with Real Madrid’s decision. If he really is going to lead the Brazilian national team before mid-year, the club needs someone to hold things down at the Club World Cup. And who better than someone who has already won the tournament, like Solari did in 2018? Of course, it’s not the title that justifies his return, but it helps complete the emergency résumé.