Xabi Alonso's Future at Real Madrid in Jeopardy Ahead of Key Match
Xabi Alonso's future with Real Madrid hangs in the balance, with Wednesday's Champions League match against Manchester City at the Bernabeu poised to be pivotal.
Frustration among fans is mounting, particularly after the team was booed off the pitch following a 2-0 defeat to Celta Vigo in La Liga on Sunday. This prompted an urgent meeting among the club's leadership to discuss Alonso's position.
Currently, Real Madrid sits four points behind league leaders Barcelona, having secured only one victory in their last five La Liga outings. Following a significant downturn in form since their October win against Barcelona, Alonso's chances of remaining in charge appear increasingly slim.
Alonso joined Real Madrid in the summer with a vision for a modernized approach, yet the club seems reluctant to fully embrace this necessary change. President Florentino Perez has historically been skeptical of such transformations, despite being persuaded to appoint coaches like Rafa Benitez, Julien Lopetegui, and Alonso himself as part of a new direction.
However, when results falter or doubts arise, Perez has been known to withdraw his support, recalling that past successes were often achieved under less interventionist coaches such as Carlo Ancelotti or Zinedine Zidane.
Upon his arrival at Bayer Leverkusen, Alonso had requested to be released if any of his former clubs expressed interest in hiring him, provided he was interested in the position. He has now added Manchester City to that list as a potential future destination, with Pep Guardiola possibly leaving him without a job.
Real Madrid's return to the Bernabeu after a six-match absence highlighted the issues plaguing the team, which has managed only three wins in seven games. While there were fleeting moments of promise, the disconnect between Alonso's tactical vision and the players' execution was stark. It appears the squad does not fully believe in the game plan.
Post-match scenes in the dressing room after the defeat were marked by frustration, with players expressing their dissatisfaction vocally. Attempts to blame the referee were met with immediate rebuttals, emphasizing the team's need to take responsibility.
Alonso's frustration was evident when he directed a curse at Fran Garcia after the latter’s red card. He criticized the referee's performance in the press conference but acknowledged it was not an excuse for their shortcomings.
The most concerning aspect of his post-match remarks was the admission that the team had failed to implement planned strategies, such as increasing tempo and pressing high up the pitch. This echoed warnings from his predecessor, Ancelotti.
Another troubling sign was the decision-makers at the club convening behind closed doors for several hours after the match to analyze the situation, a clear indicator of unrest.
Alonso perhaps set high expectations with his promise of a “rock and roll” style of play, envisioning a team with a distinct identity that would press aggressively and attack with flair. Yet, he underestimated the challenge of unifying the squad's mentality.
Despite being aware of the complexities, Alonso faced difficulties in achieving cohesion among players with differing interests. Kylian Mbappe is focused on personal accolades, while Vinicius is concerned about maintaining his status within the team. Federico Valverde is still maturing in his role as captain.
During a match day at Liverpool, club decision-makers expressed strong support for Alonso's efforts to modernize the team. However, following disappointing results against Anfield, Rayo, and Elche, the pressure on his position intensified.
Reports began to surface suggesting that the players were overwhelmed by the volume of video analysis and high demands, leading to friction between Alonso’s structured approach and the players' instinctual play.
Alonso believed that Jude Bellingham’s presence would facilitate understanding, as English players typically adapt well to a unified strategy. However, Bellingham's positional challenges have created frustration, as he is more comfortable in a forward role than as a midfielder.
Injuries, particularly in defense, have forced Alonso to utilize 20 different line-ups in 21 matches. The latest casualty is Eder Militao, who is expected to be sidelined for three to four months due to a torn hamstring sustained against Celta.
Alonso's challenges were further compounded by Vinicius' reaction when substituted during the Clasico, which undermined his authority as a manager. The club's lack of support in that situation has made recovery difficult.
As uncertainty looms over Alonso's future, it is evident that both the players and management are questioning the direction of the team. The defeat to Celta has effectively ended the initial goodwill from fans, who now also hold players accountable for their lack of effort. Celta's coach, Claudio Giraldez, remarked that when Madrid presses effectively, they are difficult to contend with, yet the team has struggled to demonstrate consistent intensity.