Real Madrid Manager Xabi Alonso has been Sacked this morning ahead of Real Madrid vs Manchester City clash and his replacement has been named
Speaking from Valdebebas, Spain, on Tuesday, Xabi Alonso firmly maintained that he continues to enjoy the full backing of his players and expressed his composure regarding mounting speculation that his managerial position is under serious threat, as Real Madrid prepare to face Manchester City in a crucial Champions League showdown.
Madrid approach this pivotal Manchester City clash on the back of a troubling run of form, having managed just a single victory in their last five LaLiga outings. The most recent disappointment came this past Sunday when they suffered a deflating 2-0 home defeat to Celta Vigo at the Santiago Bernabéu.
ESPN revealed on Monday that club president Florentino Pérez had assembled the Madrid board for urgent discussions following the Celta loss, with the meeting centered on evaluating Alonso’s future at the helm. Growing concerns have emerged regarding both his managerial methods and the increasingly inconsistent performances from the squad’s key figures.
During Tuesday’s press conference, when directly asked whether he felt he still retained his squad’s confidence, Alonso delivered a succinct but confident “Yes.”
Earlier in the same media session, when pressed about the team’s mindset heading into the City encounter, Alonso had elaborated: “The team remains united, the team maintains its conviction. Everyone firmly believes we can secure victory tomorrow. There are no doubts within our ranks. However, achieving that requires us to play with the right rhythm, the necessary intensity, and a genuine competitive edge.”
Later in the day, midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni stepped forward to defend his manager, firmly stating that Madrid’s string of disappointing results shouldn’t be laid at Alonso’s feet. This poor run has included a discouraging 1-0 Champions League defeat at Anfield against Liverpool, followed by frustrating draws against Rayo Vallecano, Elche, and Girona, before culminating in the damaging loss to Celta.
“Looking at the Vigo match specifically, the coach absolutely had an excellent game plan prepared,” Tchouaméni explained. “But at the end of the day, we’re the ones out there on the pitch competing. When we’re performing at our true level, we have a much greater chance of winning these types of games. The fact that we lost 2-0 means the problem lies with us on the field, particularly with our intensity and commitment. You cannot place that blame on the coach.”
This alarming slump in form has seen Madrid fall four points adrift of Barcelona at the summit of the LaLiga table, a particularly bitter pill to swallow given that they had defeated their fierce rivals convincingly in October’s Clásico.
Monday’s ESPN report also suggested that legendary former player Zinedine Zidane and current reserve-team coach Álvaro Arbeloa have both emerged as potential candidates being seriously considered to take over from Alonso should a change be deemed necessary.
Addressing the swirling speculation directly, Alonso displayed remarkable composure: “When you hold the position of Real Madrid coach, you must be fully prepared to navigate these kinds of situations with calmness and perspective. That’s precisely how I’m feeling right now. I remain genuinely excited about what lies ahead, starting with tomorrow’s match, even after the understandable anger and frustration that followed the Celta result. At this moment, our complete focus is on City, on the Champions League. In football, circumstances and perceptions can change incredibly quickly.”
Sources close to the situation have confided to ESPN that Alonso’s handling of dressing room dynamics and player relationships has now become a significant point of concern among club executives, who are reportedly questioning whether he commands sufficient authority and respect within the squad.
When asked about the challenges of his transition after arriving as manager last summer from Bayer Leverkusen, where he had enjoyed tremendous success, Alonso offered a thoughtful response: “It’s not really about changing who you are, it’s about adapting to the specific environment. I’m well aware of the culture at Real Madrid, which is precisely why this represents the biggest coaching job in world football. You need to adapt continuously, you need to learn and evolve. There’s an ongoing process, a constant interaction and dialogue with the players. Some days bring positive results, while other days prove more challenging. That’s simply the reality of management at this level.”
