Little more than six months ago, Xabi Alonso arrived at Real Madrid hailed as the new era's tactical genius. Now, ahead of the massive Champions League showdown with Manchester City, reports from the Spanish capital suggest the former midfielder is on the brink of an unprecedented, early sacking.
The pressure on Alonso is relentless and stems from a toxic mix of poor results, internal rifts, and the unforgiving standards of the Bernabéu.
1. The Domestic Collapse
The most immediate cause for alarm is Real Madrid's disastrous domestic form heading into the winter break:
Winless Slump: Madrid has secured just one win in their last five La Liga matches, a staggering statistic for a club of their caliber.
The Lead Forfeited: They have completely squandered their five-point lead at the top of
the table and now sit four points behind rivals Barcelona, despite beating the Catalan giants earlier in the season.
The Celta Vigo Humiliation: The final straw was a humiliating 2-0 home defeat to Celta Vigo, where the team lacked both attitude and structure and finished with nine men. The Bernabéu crowd loudly voiced its discontent, fueling reports that the hierarchy held emergency meetings over Alonso's future.
2. The Dressing Room Rift
Managing the egos of the Galácticos squad has proven to be Alonso’s Achilles heel. Reports suggest a significant part of the dressing room is increasingly frustrated with the manager:
The Vinícius Júnior Feud: The relationship between Alonso and star forward Vinícius Júnior is reportedly strained, with the Brazilian making an infamous show of displeasure after being substituted in El Clásico. Vinícius has since reportedly stalled on signing a contract extension while Alonso remains in charge.
Tactical Discontent: Players are said to be unhappy with subtle changes to the routine, such as flying a day early for short away trips,seeing it as unnecessary added strain during a busy schedule. This reflects a deeper friction over Alonso's modern, demanding approach versus the old-school expectations of the veterans.
3. The Managerial Guillotine
In Madrid, the fear of failure is institutional, and the consequences are immediate.
Zero Guarantees: Reports from Goal and The Independent claim the hierarchy has offered no guarantees that Alonso will remain in the job if the team's form does not improve immediately.
The City Ultimatum: The Champions League match against Pep Guardiola's Manchester City is seen as a Judgement Day.
A poor performance or a defeat could provide President Florentino Pérez with the justification needed to pull the trigger before Christmas.
A Pushed Departure: Alonso himself is reportedly looking ahead calmly, stating that the situation can
"change quickly" in football. However, the club's silence and the surrounding noise make it clear that his fate rests almost entirely on a positive result tonight.
The Bernabéu showdown with the defending European champions is now more than just a Group Stage match—it is a brutal, high-stakes examination of Xabi Alonso's ability to control his dressing room and guide a struggling team out of crisis.
Do you think a single result against Manchester City should decide Xabi Alonso's future at Real Madrid?