Real Madrid bogged down after Arsenal: Ancelotti suspended, and a former Barça man tipped to take the reins

A major shift is underway at Real Madrid. The winds of change are blowing strong at the Santiago Bernabéu, and it appears Carlo Ancelotti is at the end of the road. According to credible reports, this season will mark his final act in charge of Los Blancos, regardless of how many trophies he brings home between now and the summer.

Despite the potential of a La Liga title or even a 15th UEFA Champions League crown, Ancelotti’s tenure is coming to an abrupt close. And the reason isn’t just about results — it’s deeper, more philosophical. Florentino Pérez and the Real Madrid board have reportedly made up their minds. The club is preparing for a full-fledged shift in strategy.

The decision reflects more than a desire for a new face on the bench. It’s about ideas that no longer resonate with the evolving identity of the club. Journalist Joaquín Maroto didn’t mince words when speaking on El Larguero, revealing that the Ancelotti exit isn’t rooted in wins or losses. Instead, it’s about stagnation — in squad management, dressing room influence, and tactical evolution.

Issues like the mismanagement of promising youngster Arda Güler, confusion around the development of Endrick, and awkward positional assignments for talents like Tchouaméni and Camavinga have created friction within the club’s hierarchy. These aren’t isolated events, but signs of a larger issue — a system that has run its course.

Florentino Pérez, the president who once brought the world “Los Galácticos,” now seems eager to revisit an older, more grounded blueprint: the balance of Zidanes y Pavones. This vision blends elite global stars with talented youth from the club’s famed academy, La Fábrica. While the stars have always been present — from Jude Bellingham to Vinicius Jr., and soon perhaps Kylian Mbappé — the local academy products have gradually faded into the shadows.

Names like Nico Paz, Marvel, Peter González, and Arda Güler remain largely peripheral figures. Their limited involvement raises eyebrows among fans and analysts alike. Real Madrid’s bench has rarely looked so thin when it comes to homegrown blood. That’s something Florentino reportedly intends to fix.

Surprisingly, one of the names being whispered as Ancelotti’s successor is none other than former FC Barcelona and Arsenal icon, Cesc Fàbregas. Now at the helm of Como in Italy, Fàbregas has carved out a coaching identity built on intelligence, structure, and youth development. And Madrid is watching.

At Como, Fàbregas has achieved what few thought possible — guiding the club to Serie A promotion and stabilizing its performance in the top flight. His emphasis on clear tactical principles, local player development, and fearless football has turned heads, including those in the Spanish capital.

More than just his track record, Fàbregas represents a symbolic reset. His methods align closely with the direction Real Madrid wants to take — building a side that’s both technically sound and infused with Spanish identity. For a club historically accused of being overly reliant on foreign imports, this could mark a critical pivot.

Naturally, the name Zinedine Zidane remains in the conversation. Twice a Champions League-winning manager with Real Madrid, Zidane is the spiritual successor in many fans’ eyes. His deep connection to the club, knowledge of its politics, and undeniable pedigree make him a safe choice. But whether Zidane is interested in a third spell remains uncertain.

Another candidate, Xabi Alonso, has impressed in Germany with Bayer Leverkusen. However, his recent dip in Bundesliga form and doubts about his ability to manage a high-pressure locker room like Real Madrid’s have dampened enthusiasm in some quarters. He remains on the list but no longer feels like the frontrunner.

This is where Fàbregas emerges as a “dark horse” — the surprise candidate who might just be the right man for the right moment. Not bound by legacy expectations, yet brimming with promise, he symbolizes a fresh start. Pérez may well be looking for someone who can shape a long-term Spanish project, and Fàbregas checks those boxes.

Interestingly, the looming managerial change is also influenced by Spain’s national team situation. It hasn’t gone unnoticed that Real Madrid has provided shockingly few players to La Roja in recent years. While Spain continues to thrive, it does so largely without “Los Blancos” in its lineup — a fact that doesn’t sit well with the club’s hierarchy.

Bringing in a manager focused on local development could fix that. It would help Real Madrid re-integrate itself into the national identity of Spanish football. A younger, more Spanish Real Madrid — one that fans across the country can connect with again — is an idea gaining steam.

Ancelotti’s exit, therefore, marks more than the end of an era. It may signal a renaissance — a strategic, cultural, and sporting transformation that brings Real Madrid back to its roots without losing its status as a global giant.

The future may still be uncertain, but one thing is clear: Real Madrid is no longer content to repeat yesterday’s formulas. Whether it’s Zidane, Alonso, or Fàbregas, the next manager will inherit a mission larger than trophies — it will be to rebuild identity.

And if Cesc Fàbregas is indeed chosen, it will be one of the most daring appointments in recent memory. A former Barcelona man tasked with restoring Real Madrid’s local soul? It would be bold, dramatic, and undeniably fascinating.

One thing’s for sure: all eyes are now on the Bernabéu. A quiet revolution might be taking shape — not with fireworks, but with fresh ideas, local roots, and a new era in sight.