The past season was challenging for Real Madrid—losing all "El Clasico" matches and finishing without any trophies except for the UEFA Super Cup. Consequently, the management parted ways with head coach Carlo Ancelotti and brought Xabi Alonso, a former club legend and Bayer Leverkusen’s previous coach, to Madrid.
Problems under Alonso’s tenure
Xabi Alonso faced various challenges after taking charge of Los Blancos.
- Internal conflicts: Issues such as young stars like Vinicius Junior openly criticizing the coach on the pitch were observed. Former player Karim Benzema mentioned in a recent interview that the decline in experienced leaders in the dressing room negatively impacted team morale.
- Defeats in crucial matches: Alonso’s team struggled against strong opponents like Manchester City, Liverpool, Atletico Madrid, and PSG, losing nearly all major fixtures. Their only significant win came against Barcelona.
- Recent results: The team’s last eight matches yielded disappointing outcomes: only two wins, three draws, and three losses.
Following the defeat against Manchester City, discontent around Alonso increased. According to Sky Sports journalist Florian Plettenberg, the club management's confidence in him is steadily eroding.
The match against Alaves — a final chance
The management is poised to give the 44-year-old Spanish coach one last opportunity in the upcoming La Liga match against Alaves.
- Complex situation: While it may seem like a simple match, Real Madrid is dealing with significant squad issues. Key players like Alaba, Carvajal, Militao, Mendy, Arnold, and Camavinga are currently sidelined due to injuries. Additionally, Garcia and Carreras are unavailable because of red cards. The incomplete recovery of Mbappe further complicates the situation.
Potential replacements: Zidane, Klopp, and Arbeloa
If Real Madrid fails to beat Alaves and Alonso is dismissed, the club is considering three primary candidates to replace him:
- Zinedine Zidane: A top priority for the club. The French coach, who led the team to three consecutive Champions League titles, has been without a job for a while. However, his alleged plan to manage the French national team after 2026 puts his willingness to accept Real’s offer in question.
- Jurgen Klopp: The German coach, who last managed Liverpool, is a favorite among many Real fans. He’s been out of coaching for 1.5 years and is currently involved with the Red Bull project. Managing Real Madrid could be an intriguing challenge for him.
- Alvaro Arbeloa: If the first two candidates decline, the management may appoint club legend Alvaro Arbeloa, currently coaching Real Castilla (the youth team), either as a temporary or permanent head coach.
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