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Graham Hunter
Real Madrid’s lackluster yet crucial 2-1 victory against Alavés on Sunday could provide much-needed relief for struggling coach Xabi Alonso. With only two wins in their last eight matches—one in La Liga and one in the UEFA Champions League—the club’s patience was wearing thin.
Key moments included Kylian Mbappé marking his return with his 26th goal in 22 matches, the reemergence of Vinícius Júnior, and Rodrygo contributing to the winning goal. Additionally, 19-year-old youth product Víctor Valdepeñas made a successful debut at left-back during a challenging period marked by nine first-team injuries or suspensions.
However, such triumphs do not shield Alonso from the harsh realities of managing at Madrid.
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Media speculation leading up to the match indicated that a simple victory would not suffice to secure Alonso’s future. The second half performance of Los Blancos was met with lukewarm reactions.
Luis Nieto from Diario AS remarked, “It’s hard to predict how long Xabi Alonso will remain in charge, but the match at Mendizorroza, while resulting in a win, will not bolster his chances.” Meanwhile, Marca’s Juan Ignacio Garcia-Ochoa commented on Alonso’s struggles, stating: “Xabi Alonso is going through a tough time at Mendizorroza. Alavés equalised, and it felt like every passing minute added to his uncertainty.”
There are signs of improved rapport between Alonso and the previously troubled Vini Jr., and Alonso appears to be rediscovering Rodrygo’s potential, with the player netting again recently. However, the general sentiment in the media, across papers and airwaves, is one of dissatisfaction regarding the team’s style of play.
Unspoken survival terms loom large for Alonso. If mistakes occur against lower-league Talavera in the Copa del Rey or during fixtures against Sevilla and Real Betis, he may not reach the Spanish Supercopa in Saudi Arabia on January 7-11.
This tournament could be crucial for Alonso’s fate. Should he achieve victories against Atlético Madrid and either Barcelona or Athletic Club in the final, he could gain breathing space until the season concludes.
Failing to bring home silverware, however, will likely lead to his dismissal.
The backdrop of an injury crisis adds pressure—key players like Éder Militão, Dani Carvajal, David Alaba, Eduardo Camavinga, Ferland Mendy, and Trent Alexander-Arnold are unavailable, with others like Álvaro Carreras and Fran García suspended. During this time, Alonso must instill both victories and an attractive, dominant style of play.
Yet these challenges are Alonso’s to navigate. The underlying issues at Madrid run deeper, leaving the removal of Alonso—who only took charge toward the end of last season—a potentially flawed solution.
First, the question arises: who else could step into the role, and how might they avoid the cycle of ‘out of the frying pan, into the fire’? A desired candidate would be Zinedine Zidane, the ultimate figure in Pérez’s reign since 2000. Zidane embodies style, class, and determination while demonstrating a winning track record both as a player and coach for Madrid. However, he’s currently focusing on succeeding Didier Deschamps as coach of France.
Other potential candidates include Jürgen Klopp, who has emphasized his commitment to his current role with the Red Bull sports group, promising his wife they would explore the world after his success at Liverpool.
A standby option is Álvaro Arbeloa, a controversial but successful youth coach with Madrid, who earned accolades as a player and has secured several trophies in coaching the club’s junior divisions.
Pérez’s acute awareness of media sentiment adds additional complexity. Recently, prominent commentator Antonio Romero publicly criticized Arbeloa, suggesting he is overly praised for his coaching role while recalling past alignments with José Mourinho.
Romero highlighted, “Álvaro Arbeloa is potentially the most overrated youth coach in Madrid’s recent history, known for abandoning teammates to gain favor with Mourinho, which has created a base of support from specific club factions and Pérez himself.” He urged caution about raising Arbeloa’s profile, emphasizing that club politics might be as influential in his promotion as actual coaching talent.
The reality remains that whoever leads Los Blancos must adeptly manage not only tactics but also the egos within the squad, as Gareth Bale once pointed out: “At Real Madrid, it’s often about managing personalities rather than just focusing on tactics.” The historical context underscores the need for a coach who balances authoritative management with a gentle touch. Alonso’s tenure has illustrated the harsh realities of his role.
Evidence from the past shows that coaches like Rafa Benítez and Julen Lopetegui, who prioritize meticulous tactical directions, struggled, lasting just months in charge. In contrast, leaders like Vicente del Bosque, Carlo Ancelotti, and Zidane succeeded for years with less tactical rigidity, fostering a winning environment through interpersonal skills.
Finding new leaders in that mold has proven challenging. While Mourinho isn’t a gentle manager, his alignment with Pérez facilitated a productive relationship. With significant matches against Benfica looming, it raises the question: how long can Alonso remain in charge as Pérez evaluates his options amidst mounting pressures?
Alonso hails from a school of coaching that includes Pep Guardiola, Mikel Arteta, Thomas Tuchel, Unai Emery, and Luis Enrique. Does Arbeloa come from the same lineage? The answer may emerge soon—unless Alonso and his defiant squad can navigate their challenging situation as Pérez holds the power to decide their fate.
Best of luck, Xabi.