Xabi Alonso will be sacked if Real Madrid lose to Man City

Real Madrid and Xabi Alonso suffered an embarrassing defeat to Celta Vigo on Sunday. Two of their defenders were sent off, Éder Militão suffered yet another injury, and the attack failed to score against a lower-table side. At the moment, Real Madrid have no available full-backs on either flank. Fortunately for them, the red cards only apply to La Liga, meaning Alonso can still use both Carreras and Fran García against Man City tomorrow.

Alonso’s future remains uncertain as Madrid have managed only two wins in six La Liga matches, while Barcelona have opened up a four-point lead at the top of the table. Rumors suggest that the Spanish coach could be sacked after just two months in charge. According to Marca, the club’s hierarchy held a meeting after the match to discuss the issues affecting the team.

The report also states that Alonso has only a few days left to turn things around. If Los Blancos fail to secure a good result against Man City, the Spanish coach could be dismissed immediately. However, this is no easy task, as Pep Guardiola’s side have won three matches in a row, scored 11 goals, and currently sit second in the Premier League - just two points behind Arsenal.

Since joining Madrid after the 2024/25 season, the relationship between Alonso and several players has reportedly been “very bad.” Mundo Deportivo claims that a group of players -  including Vinícius Jr, Fede Valverde, Brahim Díaz, Rodrygo, Endrick, and Ferland Mendy - are unhappy with the coach. The former Leverkusen manager has implemented strict rules, forced players to compete for their spots in the starting XI, and changed the system.

With rumors circulating about Alonso’s possible departure, multiple reports suggest that Real Madrid are already searching for a replacement. One potential candidate is former coach Zinedine Zidane, who has not managed any club since leaving Madrid in 2021. However, the clear favorite appears to be Jürgen Klopp, who has been working as Head of Global Soccer for Red Bull GmbH since January 2025. Everything remains on hold, and tomorrow’s match will play a major role in deciding Alonso’s future.