Real Madrid close to sacking Alonso after sharp downturn in results
A tense moment in Madrid
Real Madrid, one of the world’s most successful and commercially powerful football clubs, is confronting unexpected instability. After hiring Xabi Alonso in the summer to replace Carlo Ancelotti, expectations were high that the former midfielder would restore order and lead the club back to trophies.
Instead, the team has drifted off course. According to reporting from The Athletic, Wednesday’s league match could influence whether the board decides to keep faith in Alonso or begin searching for another solution.
Why expectations were so high
Alonso arrived in Madrid with a rising reputation. During his time at Bayer Leverkusen, widely covered in German and European sports media, he guided the club to the 2024 Bundesliga title, ending more than a decade of Bayern Munich dominance. He also won both the DFB-Pokal and the DFL-Supercup, achievements that fuelled the belief that he could lead a major rebuild at Real Madrid.
Ancelotti’s departure for the Brazil national team left a void, and the board hoped Alonso’s modern, possession based style would deliver a fresh cycle of success. For a global institution like Real Madrid, even a single season without trophies is viewed not just as a setback but as a crisis that requires immediate correction.
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How the season unraveled
Alonso’s first major experience on the international stage came at the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States. Press coverage at the time highlighted a sharp warning sign, as Paris Saint Germain defeated Madrid 4,0 in the semifinals.
Yet the domestic season began promisingly. Real Madrid surged into an early lead in La Liga, Spain’s top football league and one of the most watched in the world. But that momentum gradually faded. A series of poor performances allowed their historic rivals, Barcelona, to take control of the table.
Recent reports in Spanish media have also pointed to friction between Alonso and several senior players, including Vinícius Júnior, Rodrygo and Federico Valverde. For a club where star players are central to the sporting plan and global branding, strained relationships can quickly escalate into broader instability.
A disappointing draw with Girona added more pressure, leaving the board questioning whether Alonso can steady the team before the season slips further away.
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Why this decision matters for Real Madrid’s future
The outcome of the upcoming match against Athletic Club carries significance beyond the immediate standings. Real Madrid is navigating a delicate moment, balancing long term planning with short term urgency. Decisions made now could influence the club’s trajectory for years, from squad development to financial strategy and even leadership stability.
As The Athletic has reported, the club’s hierarchy is weighing whether Alonso remains the right figure to guide the team through a challenging period. If results fail to improve quickly, Madrid may face yet another managerial change, reinforcing a pattern that has become familiar in the high stakes world of elite European football.
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