In the high-stakes world of Real Madrid, where success is non-negotiable and managerial changes are as frequent as El Clásico drama, Xabi Alonso’s tenure is hanging by a thread following a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League on December 10, 2025. The loss at the Santiago Bernabéu has intensified speculation about Alonso’s job security, with reports swirling that the former Bayer Leverkusen boss could be sacked imminently. But is the writing truly on the wall, or does Alonso deserve more time to turn things around? Let’s dive into the details.
Match Recap: Real Madrid 1-2 Manchester City
Real Madrid started brightly against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, taking an early lead through Rodrygo’s clinical finish in the 28th minute. The Bernabéu faithful sensed a statement win that could steady the ship amid a rocky run of form. However, defensive lapses proved costly. City’s equalizer came from a set-piece scramble in the 35th minute, with Josko Gvardiol’s header parried by Thibaut Courtois before Nico O’Reilly pounced on the rebound. Erling Haaland then sealed the comeback with a penalty in the second half, capitalizing on a foul by Antonio Rüdiger.
Despite dominating possession at times and creating chances—Jude Bellingham missed a golden opportunity early in the second half—Madrid couldn’t find an equalizer. Kylian Mbappé’s absence due to injury was keenly felt, as the attack lacked its usual cutting edge. This result marked back-to-back home defeats for Los Blancos, following a shocking 2-0 La Liga loss to Celta Vigo just days earlier. It’s a far cry from Alonso’s promising start, where he led Madrid to the La Liga Manager of the Month award in August 2025 after a flawless opening.
Alonso’s Rocky Road at the Bernabéu
Appointed in May 2025 on a three-year deal to replace Carlo Ancelotti, Alonso arrived with sky-high expectations. His unbeaten domestic double with Leverkusen in 2023-24, including an astonishing 51-game unbeaten streak, made him the darling of Madridistas dreaming of a tactical revolution. Early signs were positive: a strong pre-season, wins over Barcelona and Juventus, and a top-eight spot in the revamped Champions League league phase.
But cracks have appeared since October. Madrid have won just two of their last eight games across all competitions, slipping to second in La Liga—four points behind bitter rivals Barcelona. Injuries to key defenders like Éder Militão, Dani Carvajal, and Ferland Mendy have disrupted the backline, while reports of dressing-room tensions—particularly with stars like Vinícius Júnior—have surfaced. Alonso’s structured, possession-based style, inspired by his time under Guardiola at Bayern Munich, has been criticized as too rigid for Madrid’s Galácticos culture, where individual flair often trumps system.
Pre-match reports from outlets like MARCA and AS indicated the City clash was a “final test” for Alonso. Club president Florentino Pérez reportedly held crisis talks with the board after the Celta defeat, debating whether to pull the trigger. Speculation linked Zinedine Zidane or Jürgen Klopp as potential replacements, though Zidane is eyeing the France national team job post-2026 World Cup.
Will Alonso Be Sacked? The Latest Updates
Despite the doom and gloom, sources close to the club suggest Alonso isn’t getting the boot just yet. Sky Sports Germany and Real Madrid insiders told GiveMeSport that he’ll remain in charge for Sunday’s La Liga clash against Alavés. “Xabi Alonso will NOT be sacked for now,” one source confirmed, emphasizing a desire for unity amid the injury crisis.
Players have rallied behind him too. Courtois declared post-match: “We are with Xabi Alonso. We are 100% behind him and you can see that on the pitch.” Bellingham echoed this, insisting the squad is united. Even Rodrygo spoke out in support, urging fans to back the project during a “complicated moment.”
However, another loss to Alavés could drop Madrid seven points adrift of Barcelona, potentially sealing Alonso’s fate. Betting odds on platforms like Polymarket briefly spiked for his sacking before dipping after player endorsements. If Pérez acts, interim options like Castilla boss Álvaro Arbeloa or a Zidane return are floated, but a mid-season upheaval risks derailing the season further.
