Is This the End for Xabi Alonso?
The past week has stirred discussion around Xabi Alonso’s future at Real Madrid, especially after a disappointing string of results. Notably, Vinicius Junior squandered multiple opportunities, and Antonio Rudiger’s performance in the box raised concerns, prompting the club to reassess their trust in Alonso— a figure with a celebrated history at Madrid both as a player and coach.
Spanish media had speculated about Alonso’s position since Saturday’s defeat against Celta Vigo. Following a lackluster performance against Manchester City, doubts about his effectiveness grew as Madrid’s form dipped, securing only two wins and three losses in their last eight matches. While club president Florentino Perez considered cheaper alternatives, many felt Alonso was expected to lead the team into a transformative phase. Should Alonso’s tenure end prematurely, it would align with the club’s tendency for dramatic narratives.
The reasons behind Madrid’s struggles against Manchester City are still murky, and it raises questions about whether such a result merits Alonso’s dismissal. Currently seventh in the league, Madrid finds itself in a precarious position, caught between teams like Monaco and Jose Mourinho’s Benfica. While a four-point gap to Barcelona isn’t ideal, Alonso has previously led the team to victory against them this season. Over the last month, the team has scrounged for points, converting only 10 out of 14.4 expected goals. If certain players had shown better finishing—the absence of Kylian Mbappé didn’t help—the standings could have been quite different.
However, Wednesday’s match wasn’t catastrophic. Over 2.5 xG conceded to City appears troubling, but 1.92 of those chances came in a chaotic brief period in the first half. Thibaut Courtois’s misjudgment on a corner and Rudiger’s lapse with Erling Haaland were individual mistakes, raising the question whether such errors should cost a manager his job. Had Brahim Diaz directed a header on goal or had Mbappé been available, there might be no talk of job insecurity.
Questions surrounding Alonso largely pertain to his coaching capabilities, but by many standards, he has delivered. Last season, the team averaged 1.76 non-penalty expected goals and conceded 1.17, while this season shows an improvement to 1.99 and 1.11, respectively. They may not rank among Europe’s elite yet, yet Alonso knows that Real Madrid can gradually raise their game.
This is Real Madrid, a club where tactics take a backseat to player management. Thierry Henry noted during the UEFA Champions League pre-match broadcast that some players may feel over-coached rather than adequately managed. Many recall Gareth Bale’s sentiments about the need for balanced management at Madrid.
Alonso’s coaching style may create challenges at a club steeped in tradition. His initial focus on defense while at Leverkusen was unexpected and perhaps unsettling for seasoned players accustomed to more attacking-oriented philosophies. Players like Vinicius Junior, nurtured under lenient coaches like Zinedine Zidane and Carlo Ancelotti, may have different expectations of their new manager’s approach.
Yet, Wednesday’s game did show that not all players feel disengaged from Alonso. Rodrygo voiced support for him, underscoring the importance of unity for moving forward. Their camaraderie during the Club World Cup hinted at a budding relationship, and Jude Bellingham was similarly vocal in backing the coach.
Statements like “we are with Xabi Alonso till the day we die” from young center-back Raul Asensio suggest alignment within the squad. For much of the match, the team exhibited a commitment indicative of players striving for something meaningful. They showcased promising defensive organization early on, suggesting tangible progress in Alonso’s system.
Alonso knows that results triumph performance, and so far, his methodology has shown potential for positive outcomes. At Leverkusen, his detailed coaching led to an unshakeable belief in their invincibility, a trait not yet fully realized at Madrid.
If Alonso departs, one must wonder what kind of figure Madrid would seek next—one capable of more than just managing expectations. Perhaps they would prefer a ‘director of atmosphere’ over a tactical strategist, indicating a shift in their operational philosophy.
Fan Take
The speculation surrounding Xabi Alonso’s job highlights the ever-turning wheel of managerial stability in football. For fans, his potential departure could influence the team’s dynamics and overall morale, further complicating Madrid’s quest for glory on the European stage.
