Samuel Lopez likely to become Carlos Alcaraz's head coach after fractious Ferrero split

As expected, Carlos Alcaraz is likely to keep the status quo aside from Juan Carlos Ferrero in his coaching team with Samuel Lopez likely to take the top role.

Alcaraz and Ferrero surprisingly split earlier this week with the World No.1 parting with Ferrero following seven successful years that included 24 singles titles including six Grand Slam crowns, two year end No.1 rankings and multiple awards.

However several reports have since stated that the father of Alcaraz, Carlos Alcaraz Senior and Ferrero was the reason for the sudden split as the pair were in loggerheads. The final straw came after Ferrero was asked to sign a new contract just 48 hours after he received an offer.

Ferrero's counter offer was rejected and the parties decided to go their separate ways and the Alcaraz camp has immediately indicated that despite likely being flooded with offers to take that role on that Samuel Lopez who has came from the Ferrero Academy and has often travelled with Alcaraz when Ferrero can't would take the top role.

He only joined the team at the start of the year after he spent a long stint alongside Pablo Carreno Busta but it seems that at least in the mean time, Lopez will take the forward role. But Angel Garcia of COPE said that five to six coaches have offered to manage Alcaraz albeit with no specific individuals mentioned.

This would point towards Lopez taking a temporary role but also a move away from the Ferrero establishment with Alcaraz still training at his academy and maintaining most of the Academy team despite splitting from the owner of said academy.

Supposedly interested coaches “have been told no because they [Alcaraz’s team] want to maintain the current situation” but that they could turn to a big name if possible to lighten the load and take over the Ferrero role.

“I think a second person will be needed because the season is very long and involves a lot of travel,” he told RNE Deportes.

“And perhaps that second person is more well-known than Samu, but that doesn’t mean they’ll be the head coach. I would bet, without having spoken to his father yet, that the head coach will be Samu Lopez.”