Real Madrid were sitting pretty just a few months ago, but their hot start to the 2025/26 season has begun to show cracks.
New manager Xabi Alonso, hired in the summer to replace Carlo Ancelotti, had led Madrid to the top of the domestic standings and near the top of the UEFA Champions League table as well.
However, things have gone awry. Madrid were beaten 2-0 by Celta Vigo on December 7, then again at home by Manchester City in the Champions League, leaving them with two wins from their past eight matches.
They are dealing with a litany of injuries, with Trent Alexander-Arnold, Eder Militao, and Dean Huijsen all cropping up with fitness issues that will hamper the defensive line for the next few weeks. Players have become disgruntled, while others have shown disciplinary weaknesses of late.
It means Alonso is reportedly on borrowed time.
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Will Real Madrid sack Xabi Alonso?
Alonso's future remains very much in doubt, but the latest indications are that he is not at imminent risk of the sack.
It had been claimed in multiple reports that, following a meeting of the club's hierarchy in the wake of the Celta defeat, Alonso's position was being scrutinised. The Athletic said: "Although the board does not believe Alonso is solely to blame for the situation, they are unhappy with the team's image and recent results."
While much of the club's turmoil has to do with results on the field, there has also been concern about their image off the pitch. There have been a number of dressing-room issues to begin this season, including Vinicius Jr's complaints about playing time, as well as recent red cards.
However, after the loss to City, Diario AS reported that Alonso has in effect been given three more games to save his job:
- @ Alaves on December 14
- @ Talavera on December 17 (in the Copa del Rey)
- vs. Sevilla on December 20
After that, Madrid take a short break, with their next game coming 15 days later against Real Betis.
Real Madrid players 'in support' of Xabi Alonso
AS' report correlates with some of the comments by senior members of the Madrid squad after the loss to City.
Although the supporters inside the Santiago Bernabeu made their unhappiness very clear at fulltime of the City game, stars including Jude Bellingham and Thibaut Courtois expressed support for their under-fire coach.
"We fall, we learn, we come back," Courtois wrote on social media, after saying at the end of the game: "I think today we showed that we're behind the manager, that we played well, giving 100 per cent."
Bellingham told TNT Sports: "The coach is great. I personally have an excellent relationship with him, and I know many of my teammates do too. After the run of draws, we had some very good internal discussions and felt we'd put that streak behind us, except for the last two matches. Nobody's giving up, nobody's complaining or moaning."
Rodrygo, who ended a 32-game wait for a goal against City, said: "It's a difficult time for [Alonso], just like it is for us. Things aren't going well, and he wanted to show that we're all in this together, with our coach. There's a lot of talk, but I wanted to say this: we're all in this together, and we need this unity to keep moving forward and achieve our goals."
Why might Real Madrid sack Xabi Alonso?
Los Blancos held a five-point lead atop the La Liga table after a 2-1 Clasico win in late October, but by early December they have squandered that advantage. They now sit four points behind Barcelona after 16 matches, with Villarreal right on their heels in third.
They are in good position in the Champions League league phase and are still in the top eight despite defeat to City.
There has also been general turmoil around the club. Alonso's rotation has angered Vinicius Jr and left the Brazilian upset about his decrease in playing time.
Alonso's leadership has also been called into question as the team commits individual errors and shows ill discipline, with three players shown red cards against Celta Vigo, including one from the bench.
Injuries and poor form have also taken their toll, which is beyond Alonso's control, but these have exacerbated problems around how the team is performing.
The Athletic also stated: "There is concern that a significant part of the dressing room does not have a good connection with the coach and his ideas." However, the comments following the City game would suggest that plenty of the players are prepared to fight for their coach.
MORE: Breaking down the top candidates to replace Xabi Alonso if Real Madrid make a change
Next Real Madrid coach candidates
If Real Madrid do make a move, there are a few names for them to consider.
First and foremost, Los Blancos would reportedly love to have Zinedine Zidane back in charge. There is a coveted air about the Frenchman for his enormous success at the club, not only in winning Champions League titles as a manager in the past, but also for his starring role as a player between 2001 and 2006.
However, Zidane has long coveted the France national-team job and is considered the frontrunner to take over once Didier Deschamps steps down at the end of the 2026 World Cup.
If Zidane does not take over on a season-long basis, the club could turn to Alvaro Arbeloa, a former player who now coaches the Madrid reserve team. Arbeloa was a candidate for the position when Alonso was hired, and is highly regarded according to many reports.
Spanish publication El Mundo reported that Jurgen Klopp could be an option, but more reputable sources including The Athletic claim that Klopp is unwilling to re-enter management and is happy with his executive role at Red Bull, which matches with his public stance as well.