Carlo Ancelotti has proven time and time again that you can never count him out. However, this season seems to be marked by frustration and a lack of tactical solutions, and his future at Real Madrid is hanging by a thread. The heavy defeat to Arsenal in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals has set off alarm bells at the club, and the return leg is shaping up to be a do-or-die moment for the Italian coach.

While the team still has a mathematical chance in La Liga, the truth is that their level of play is far from what is expected at the Santiago Bernabéu. The defense has struggled due to a wave of injuries, and the board, led by Florentino Pérez, chose not to reinforce the squad despite the setbacks. Collective play has also been lacking, and a European exit could mark the end of Ancelotti’s tenure.

Jürgen Klopp emerges as a strong candidate

For months, Xabi Alonso has been considered the top choice to replace Ancelotti. His impressive stint at Bayer Leverkusen, his experience at the club, and his disciplined, winning mindset made him an ideal successor. However, an inconsistent run late in the season has raised doubts among Madrid's leadership, who may now be leaning toward a bigger and bolder move.

Enter Jürgen Klopp. The German coach, currently taking a break after leaving Liverpool, is being seen by some close to Florentino Pérez as the perfect man to rebuild the squad. His charisma, attacking philosophy, and ability to manage high-pressure locker rooms could be exactly what’s needed to get the best out of Vinícius and Mbappé, something Ancelotti has yet to achieve.

Signing Klopp wouldn’t be easy—he’s been linked to the Red Bull project and has not made any public statements about his next step—but many believe a strong offer from Real Madrid could convince him. It would be a bold, high-impact move, something Florentino has rarely done with his coaching hires.

What’s clear is that the current project needs a shake-up. This squad hasn’t lived up to expectations, and if Madrid wants to reclaim its dominance in Europe, a radical change on the bench might be the first step.