Former Real Madrid defender emerges as a potential replacement for Xabi Alonso | OneFootball

The Real Madrid board is gearing up for a busy week ahead. The team is coming on the back of a 2-0 defeat to Celta Vigo, which has put question marks on the future of Xabi Alonso.

Reports suggest the upcoming Champions League against Manchester City in midweek will be Alonso’s last chance to prove himself.

Should Real Madrid lose, Alonso may immediately face the box, which in turn, has forced Real Madrid to look for alternatives.

Although options such as Zinedine Zidane and Jurgen Klopp are being considered, it is unlikely either of them will be willing to join Los Blancos at this point.

Arbeloa emerges as a favourite to replace Alonso

Real Madrid, therefore, must look for a more pragmatic option, and that is where Alvaro Arbeloa comes into the fray.

According to The Athletic, Arbeloa has emerged as one of the top candidates to replace Alonso should he get sacked this week.

Alonso’s job in danger. (Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images)

It appears the former right-back, who is currently coaching Castilla, is regarded highly within the Real Madrid camp.

He is, therefore, a serious candidate to replace Alonso, especially given the sheer amount of success he has achieved in coaching the youth team.

Arbeloa has played a critical role in developing some of the young talents coming out of La Fabrica in recent years, thus proving himself as someone who can operate with a young team.

Keeping that in mind, he could be an ideal fit for a Real Madrid squad currently in the middle of a transition phase.

However, as things stand, Alonso is still the boss at Real Madrid and a win against Man City could still go a long way in securing his immediate future at the Bernabeu.