Xabi Alonso’s position at Real Madrid remains unresolved, yet the Champions League clash against Manchester City at the Bernabeu may define his immediate prospects. Supporters voiced frustration after the 2-0 league loss to Celta Vigo, sparking an urgent internal discussion about his continuity.
Xabi Alonso’s position at Real Madrid remains unresolved, yet the Champions League clash against Manchester City at the Bernabeu may define his immediate prospects. Supporters voiced frustration after the 2-0 league loss to Celta Vigo, sparking an urgent internal discussion about his continuity.
The team sit four points behind Barcelona, having collected only one victory from their past five domestic fixtures. Their dramatic decline after triumphing in the October clásico has left his standing extremely fragile.
Alonso introduced himself in the summer as a coach intent on updating the club’s approach, though this type of transformation has repeatedly met resistance from above. President Florentino Pérez has long been skeptical of such shifts, even after being persuaded to hire managers like Rafa Benítez, Julen Lopetegui, and Alonso himself.
Once performances wobble or players hesitate, Pérez often reverts to coaches who minimize interference, a formula that produced more success under Carlo Ancelotti and Zinedine Zidane.
During his time at Bayer Leverkusen, Alonso negotiated an exit clause allowing him to leave if one of his former clubs sought his services. He added Manchester City to that list as a potential option once Pep Guardiola steps away — a twist that may now leave him unemployed if things collapse at the Bernabeu.
Madrid’s homecoming after six straight outings away exposed the issues behind a run of only three wins in seven. While some phases were encouraging, the disconnection between Alonso’s blueprint and the squad’s interpretation was glaring. Many players no longer appear fully aligned with the plan.
The dressing room after the Celta defeat was filled with irritation — thrown items, raised voices, and immediate dismissal of attempts to blame the referee. Alonso had shouted in anger at Fran García’s dismissal and criticized the official afterward, yet he refused to use officiating as justification.
His admission that key tactical instructions — higher rhythm, more pressing — were not carried out raised major concern, echoing warnings Ancelotti had previously shared with him.
What followed deepened anxiety: the main decision-makers remained inside the stadium for hours after the match, reviewing the situation closely. That level of scrutiny rarely signals calm.
Alonso promised “rock and roll” upon arrival, envisioning a side with a sharp identity built on collective aggression, dynamic attacking, and confident individuals. But the difficulty of creating a unified mindset became clearer each week.
Ancelotti had already outlined the complexities to him, noting that training principles were rarely reproduced during games. Privately he described this as the most complicated group he had coached — not due to personality issues, but because of competing priorities. Mbappé focuses on records, Vinícius protects his status, and Valverde wants a central midfield role but lacks certain leadership qualities.
Before the loss at Liverpool, club executives still admired Alonso’s work. He was coming off a run of 13 wins in 14 outings, including the win over Barcelona. After Anfield and subsequent draws with Rayo and Elche, pressure intensified quickly.
Reports emerged of excessive video sessions and overwhelming demands and expectations that players function mechanically. These tensions reflected the familiar clash between rigid methodology and individuals who prefer instinct.
Alonso thought Jude Bellingham would help bring alignment, believing English footballers tend to absorb collective ideas readily. Yet Bellingham’s role has been problematic: he is naturally a second striker. When used deeper, he adapts willingly but remains uncomfortable, creating uncertainty in his output.
The club did not deliver Martín Zubimendi, a player Alonso viewed as essential for controlling tempo and providing structure. Instead, he had to work with energetic midfielders who favor rapid transitions over measured, positional football. Arda Güler has taken on responsibility for directing play, though he leans more toward attacking duties than orchestration.
Madrid’s scoring burden has fallen entirely on Mbappé; with him not converting, goals disappear. Vinícius is now 11 matches without scoring, while Rodrygo’s drought has reached 33.
Injuries have compounded the situation, particularly at the back. Alonso has used 20 different starting elevens in 21 fixtures, and Éder Militão’s hamstring tear will rule him out for months.
Strains may have become irreversible during Vinícius’ reaction to being substituted in the clásico. It was a direct challenge to Alonso’s authority that never received proper institutional backing, and Vinícius’ apology failed to acknowledge the coach. Recovering from that moment was always going to be difficult.
When the entire media landscape begins repeating that a manager’s position is at risk, the signal usually comes from both influential figures inside the club and sources within the dressing room. After disappointing results, conversations took place between Alonso and the squad and later between Alonso and Pérez.
The manager then adjusted some decisions to satisfy the players, hoping they would also accept incremental tactical additions — more pressing, sharper attacking patterns against deep defenses, and greater control over matches.
The Celta defeat ended the supporters’ patience, though polls indicate fans also blame the squad for a perceived lack of intensity. Celta coach Claudio Giráldez praised Madrid’s potential when they press well but observed that they no longer apply that work with belief, making them significantly easier to handle.
Giráldez also acknowledged that Madrid are evolving under Alonso, though such comments are largely ignored. Despite the turmoil, Alonso still thinks he can correct the trajectory. Meanwhile, parts of the media present him as a coach drowning in the pace of events — a narrative that usually mirrors the club’s own sentiment.
At Real Madrid, fortunes can swing from crisis to triumph and back again in the space of a single match. Wednesday’s encounter is therefore far more than a routine fixture.
Should Alonso depart soon, the club may once again attempt to convince Zidane to return, while B-team manager Álvaro Arbeloa is also considered a candidate.
