Real Madrid see former manager as Ancelotti replacement

A few hours after Real Madrid’s morale-boosting victory over Osasuna, Santiago Solari (48) left the De María restaurant accompanied by his family. Earlier, he had exchanged greetings with Fede Valverde, whom he had encountered at the establishment near the Madrid stadium.

The current Real Madrid Director of Football appeared calm, despite a turbulent week marked by heavy defeats at home—Barcelona (0-4) in LaLiga and Milan (1-3) in the Champions League—and a bruising encounter against Osasuna, which saw three key players injured. Among them, Éder Militão suffered a season-ending injury, a cruel déjà vu from last year.

A familiar presence in the stands at the Alfredo Di Stéfano Stadium, whether watching Castilla or Youth League matches, Solari is increasingly viewed as a potential successor to Carlo Ancelotti.

Ancelotti under pressure to perform

The Italian coach faces mounting pressure after a string of poor results, with even the upper echelons of the training ground offices reportedly doubting his ability to turn the season around.

The humiliating loss to Barcelona, followed by the Champions League defeat to Milan, has left Ancelotti in a precarious position. Despite his past resilience in such situations, this time feels different. Losses to supposed underdogs Lille and Milan in Europe, combined with injuries to Militão, Lucas Vázquez, and Rodrygo—none of whom will be fit for the pivotal clash against Liverpool at Anfield—have further complicated the scenario. While the gritty win over Osasuna offers a glimmer of hope, doubts linger.

This is where Solari’s figure looms as a contingency plan if results fail to improve. The Argentine coach is no stranger to stepping into the breach at Real Madrid. Although his prior stint as manager, beginning mid-season in October 2018, ended poorly, it laid some groundwork for the club’s future.

Solari took bold decisions during his tenure, promoting youth talents like Vinícius Júnior, Sergio Reguilón, and Marcos Llorente. While only Vinícius remains at the club, the others moved on, with Reguilón joining Tottenham and Llorente switching allegiances to Atlético Madrid in 2019.

Solari holds worst ever Real Madrid record

Solari’s interim appointment in 2018 came after Julen Lopetegui’s disastrous 5-1 defeat to Barcelona. Players in the Camp Nou dressing room reportedly resisted the idea of Antonio Conte replacing Lopetegui, with captain Sergio Ramos famously stating: “Respect is earned, not imposed. We’ve won everything with coaches you know, and man-management is more important than tactical knowledge.”

Solari, a trusted “club man,” was chosen. A former Real Madrid player signed during Lorenzo Sanz’s presidency, Solari had transitioned into coaching with the club’s youth teams in 2012, steadily building his reputation as a loyal servant to the institution in the mould of Luis Molowny or Vicente del Bosque.

However, Solari’s record as head coach was mixed. In 31 matches, he secured 21 wins, two draws, and eight losses, scoring 67 goals and conceding 36. His tenure unraveled quickly, culminating in a disastrous week in March 2019 that saw Madrid eliminated from the Champions League at the hands of Ajax (1-4) and defeated twice by Barcelona (in the Copa del Rey and LaLiga).

He also holds the unenviable distinction of being Madrid’s worst home coach in terms of losses, with a 43% defeat rate at the Bernabéu. Yet, Solari stuck to his principles, sidelining underperforming stars like Isco and Marcelo while fiercely defending Vinícius. “For me, Vinícius is simple: it’s playing time he needs. He’s only 18 and needs experience, which comes from playing,” he said then. Time has proven him right.

Now, Solari quietly supports Ancelotti from the sidelines, hoping the veteran Italian can weather the storm. Meanwhile, rumours persist that the board sees Solari as a stopgap option, with an eye on Xabi Alonso as a long-term successor—possibly in 2025.