Following a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Talavera in the Copa del Rey, Xabi Alonso‘s relief was palpable. However, the coach’s moment of respite was quickly overshadowed by the mounting pressure surrounding his position at Real Madrid. The match, which saw a crucial save from Andriy Lunin and a tense finish against a third-division opponent, encapsulates the precarious state of Alonso’s tenure. According to reports from The Athletic, while the club intends to retain him as long as results permit, the margin for error has become razor-thin.
In recent weeks, Real Madrid’s fortunes have taken a downturn. What began as a promising lead in La Liga has morphed into a four-point deficit behind FC Barcelona, raising concerns about slipping further down the table. Additionally, their Champions League campaign, although still salvageable, has been marred by losses to Liverpool and Manchester City that have left their mark on the squad’s morale.
Results and Tactical Concerns
The pressure within the club is a reflection of its winning culture, where success is non-negotiable. As Mario Cortegana pointed out, “At Real Madrid, the priority has always been to win, and currently, Alonso is not achieving that.” Beyond mere results, there’s an evident lack of control and quality in play since their Clásico triumph in late October. The board acknowledges these issues are not solely Alonso’s fault; however, in Madrid’s high-stakes environment, blame often falls squarely on the coach.
Stagnation in Development
Guillermo Rai highlights another critical aspect of Alonso’s challenges: the apparent stagnation in tactical evolution. “After six months, the style has not evolved; it has even regressed,” he notes. Key players like Federico Valverde, Jude Bellingham, and Vinícius Júnior are not being utilized to their fullest potential. Following a strong start to his tenure, Alonso’s team has only managed four wins in their last ten matches—a statistic that is alarming for a club of Real Madrid’s stature.
The specter of potential dismissal looms large; Rai suggests that another defeat could seal Alonso’s fate despite some temporary relief afforded by recent successes. Cortegana elaborates on this sentiment, expressing skepticism about any real turnaround occurring soon. The club appears to be monitoring whether Alonso can buy time ahead of crucial fixtures like the Supercopa de España against Atlético Madrid and possibly Barcelona.
Internally, concessions have already been made regarding the tactical demands placed on players. The simultaneous selection of Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior, Bellingham, and Rodrygo against Alavés was seen as a strategic signal from management. But will these adjustments suffice? According to Rai, “Real Madrid primarily needs a string of victories; time is not on their side.”
As discussions regarding Alonso’s future continue to swirl, names are surfacing as potential successors. Zinedine Zidane remains an iconic figure within the club but is viewed as an unlikely candidate due to his high profile. Álvaro Arbeloa is frequently mentioned as a frontrunner at Valdebebas, while Santiago Solari retains some discreet backing among club insiders.
The coming weeks will be pivotal for Xabi Alonso and Real Madrid. With expectations sky-high and results faltering, can he turn things around before it’s too late?
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