Real Madrid settle on their ‘chosen successor’ as pressure mounts on Xabi Alonso

December 15, 2025 Oliver Obel

One figure who has come up more often inside the club is Alvaro Arbeloa, currently in charge of Real Madrid Castilla. Spanish broadcaster Cadena Ser reported that some executives view him as a credible short-term option if the first team’s form dips further.

The tone of that reporting suggested curiosity rather than urgency, though a poor showing at Alavés this weekend could test that patience.

Arbeloa who stepped into the Castilla job after Raúl left earlier this year has impressed some within the academy setup for his communication style and attention to detail. Others point to the familiarity he already has with the club’s expectations, having spent several seasons in the first team during Madrid’s Champions League-winning years.

Alonso’s challenge grows heavier

Alonso returned to Madrid over the summer with considerable goodwill behind him. His work at Bayer Leverkusen, where he delivered the club’s first Bundesliga title and added domestic trophies, made him one of the most sought-after young managers in Europe.

Before that, he had cut his teeth with Real Sociedad B after retiring from a playing career that took him through Liverpool, Bayern Munich and the Bernabéu.

When Real appointed him to replace Carlo Ancelotti, the expectation was that he would guide the squad through a gradual rebuild while keeping the team competitive on all fronts. That remains the club’s official line, though recent performances have made the task more fraught.

Results raise the temperature

Madrid sit second in La Liga, four points behind Barcelona a manageable gap but one that has invited more debate than usual among supporters. Their Champions League form has been similarly uneven.

The midweek 2–1 loss to Manchester City at the Bernabéu didn’t spark anger so much as unease, with a noticeable tension in the press room afterward. Alonso appeared calm, though slightly more clipped than usual in his responses.

Asked about speculation surrounding Arbeloa, Alonso said he admired his former teammate’s coaching prospects but dismissed any suggestion of internal conversations about replacing him.

Two familiar faces, one uncertain future

Arbeloa and Alonso shared dressing rooms at Liverpool, Real Madrid and with Spain during its historic run of international success. Those shared experiences have shaped a mutual respect that both men have acknowledged publicly over the years.

Whether that history becomes relevant to Real Madrid’s immediate future remains to be seen. For now, the club appears to be weighing possibilities quietly, aware that the coming weeks could determine whether this is simply early-season turbulence or something more consequential.

Source: Cadena Ser

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