Real Madrid: Pérez and Board Evaluate Xabi Alonso’s Future

In the wake of a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Celta Vigo, Real Madrid‘s president Florentino Pérez convened with the club’s board to assess the future of manager Xabi Alonso. The loss at the Santiago Bernabéu has intensified scrutiny on Alonso, especially as the team prepares for a crucial Champions League clash against Manchester City. With Madrid now trailing Barcelona by four points in LaLiga, concerns are mounting over the team’s recent performances, which have seen them secure just one victory in their last five league outings.

The board meeting highlighted not only Alonso’s precarious position but also broader issues within the squad. Following a promising 3-0 win against Athletic Club, the setback against Celta was perceived as a significant regression. Sources indicate that Wednesday’s encounter with Manchester City will be pivotal for Alonso, whose management style has come under fire amid rising tensions in the dressing room. Players are reportedly feeling a collective sense of guilt about their inability to adapt to Alonso’s methods and tactics.

Coaching Alternatives Under Consideration

As discussions about Alonso’s future intensify, potential successors are already being considered. Among those mentioned are former Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane and current Castilla coach Álvaro Arbeloa. Zidane has been out of management since leaving Madrid, while Arbeloa is seen as an up-and-coming option within the club’s ranks. The board’s deliberations reflect a growing impatience with the current trajectory of the team, particularly if results do not improve against top-tier opposition.

Squad Dynamics and Leadership Concerns

The atmosphere in the locker room has also raised alarms among board members. Reports suggest that players are questioning Alonso’s leadership style, noting a perceived lack of discipline in recent weeks. The absence of key figures such as Luka Modrić and Dani Carvajal has further exacerbated leadership voids within the squad. Additionally, ongoing contract negotiations with Vinícius Júnior have stalled, adding to the uncertainty surrounding player morale and commitment.

In further bad news for Real Madrid, defender Éder Militão is set to miss at least three months due to a serious injury sustained during the match against Celta Vigo. He was diagnosed with a rupture of the biceps femoris tendon in his left leg, which will require extensive rehabilitation. This injury compounds the challenges facing Alonso as he seeks to stabilize his squad ahead of critical fixtures.

With pressure mounting from both internal and external sources, can Xabi Alonso rally his team in time to turn their fortunes around? The upcoming clash against Manchester City may very well determine not just his fate but also that of several players who have struggled to find their footing this season.