Bayer Leverkusen head coach Xabi Alonso, who is said to be the lead candidate to replace Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid, refused to discuss the links on Friday and said it is not a good time to discuss the future with his club’s hopes of defending the Bundesliga on the ropes. 

With Real’s elimination from the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals and the La Liga title also slipping away, Spanish outlets are reporting that the Italian will part ways with the club at the end of the season and Alonso, who previously played in Real’s midfield, is the Los Blancos’ first choice to replace him.