A sudden change in Ancelotti's succession plan at Real Madrid

Spanish network "Relevo" revealed an unusual shift in Real Madrid's management's plans regarding the identity of the interim coach who will lead the team in the next phase. Reports indicate that Argentine Santiago Solari is preferred over Raúl González, despite history suggesting otherwise. This trend comes in light of the turbulent atmosphere the club is experiencing after being eliminated from the Champions League and losing the Copa del Rey title. This is in addition to the increasing possibility of coach Carlo Ancelotti leaving before the end of the season, despite his contract extending until 2026. Real Madrid's management is looking for an interim coach to lead the team in the Club World Cup, scheduled to be held in mid-June. Although Raúl, the current coach of Real Madrid Castilla, is considered the natural heir to the first-team bench, based on historical precedents within the club, the management is surprisingly leaning towards appointing Solari, who currently holds an administrative position and has not held a coaching role for years. According to the report, Solari's preference is due to several factors, most notably his previous experience leading the team during a critical period in 2018, when he succeeded in giving opportunities to young players like Vinicius Junior and made bold decisions by removing some stars like Isco and Gareth Bale from the starting lineup. The board also believes that Solari will not pose a threat to the future project, which has Xabi Alonso at the forefront of candidates to take over the technical leadership starting in the 2025-26 season. This is because Solari does not aspire to remain in the position for long, making him an ideal interim option in the board's view.