Xabi Alonso stays as Real Madrid coach, but for how long? | OneFootball

According to L'Équipe, Florentino Pérez has kept Xabi Alonso in post for at least four more days, reassured by Real Madrid’s display and a lack of alternatives. Failure to win at Alavés on Sunday would likely cost the Basque his job.

It is an unusual pause at Madrid. Despite two straight defeats, Alonso was not dismissed on Wednesday after the 1-2 loss to Manchester City. Pérez had told confidants that a heavy defeat or a repeat of the 0-2 display against Celta Vigo would end his tenure, but a narrow, creditable loss would not.

With eight players injured, including Kylian Mbappé, scorer of more than half the team’s goals, expectations were tempered. Convinced by the first-half response and a dignified defeat, Pérez decided privately to keep faith, citing avoidable errors and some misfortune. He also sought proof the dressing room remained with Alonso.

Rodrygo, revitalised after months in the shadows and previously out of Alonso’s plans, ran to embrace his coach after scoring. Post-match he stressed unity around the manager, a sentiment Thibaut Courtois echoed.

The reprieve also reflects limited options, with moves for Zinédine Zidane and Jürgen Klopp deemed impossible and internal fallbacks Álvaro Arbeloa and Santiago Solari unconvincing. Two wins in the last eight matches fall short of Madrid’s standards, so the immediate test comes at Alavés on Sunday. With a manageable run to the winter break, it may still be premature to write off Madrid or their coach.

Source: L'Équipe