Man City clash seen as final chance for embattled coach amid irreparable locker room rift.

Xabi Alonso

Xabi Alonso’s tenure at Real Madrid is hanging by a thread. After a shocking 0-2 home loss to Celta Vigo and just two wins in seven games, the club’s leadership held an emergency meeting. Sources say the relationship between Alonso and a group of senior players, including Vinicius Jr., Rodrygo, and Valverde, is beyond repair.

Zidane And Klopp

Key Points

  • Do-or-Die Match: Wednesday’s Champions League tie against Manchester City is viewed as Alonso’s last chance.
  • Top Replacements: Zinedine Zidane and Jürgen Klopp are the leading candidates. Zidane is the emergency option; Klopp is Florentino Pérez’s long-term dream.
  • Squad Divide: Several stars resist Alonso’s strict tactics and merit-based selection, clashing with the Galácticos culture.
  • League Slip: Madrid have lost their La Liga lead, now trailing Barcelona.

Alonso’s high-pressing system has struggled to adapt, with injuries and player unrest compounding issues. A loss to City could see him sacked before the winter break. Zidane, a proven unifier, is the safer bet; Klopp remains a wildcard.

The Bernabéu waits. Victory buys time. Defeat may end the Xabi era.