Xabi Alonso confirms his Real Madrid replacement

Tom Weber

• 13 Dec 2025 13:01 CST
• 3 min read

News

Xabi Alonso has "no doubt" that Alvaro Arbeloa will coach Real Madrid one day.

The Spaniard is under intense pressure ahead of Sunday's clash with Deportivo Alaves. Recent results and performances have been dire, and it was widely expected that Alonso would be sacked following Real Madrid's loss to Man City in the Champions League.

That ultimately didn't materialise, but the Spanish press insists that time is running out for the 44-year-old to save his job. It is claimed that if Real Madrid fail to win any of their next three games, it will be game over for the club legend.

Following the LaLiga clash away at Alaves on Sunday, Los Blancos will face lower-league side Talavera in the Copa del Rey before hosting Sevilla in the final game ahead of a two-week winter break.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Saturday, Alonso was inevitably asked about his position. Once again, the coach emphasised that there are no problems with his players amid persistent claims of a falling out with influential sections of the dressing room.

Alonso has "no doubt" about Arbeloa

"I've always felt we have a good relationship, a connection, and the other day, after the match, there wasn't any criticism from me," Alonso said of the atmosphere in the team.

"We work together through thick and thin. We know that if we turn things around, we'll become stronger. There are people in this locker room with a wealth of experience to make these decisions."

Somewhat bizarrely, Alonso was also directly asked about his potential replacement should he indeed end up getting sacked. It is believed that Real Madrid Castilla boss Alvaro Arbeloa will be given the job if his former teammate is relieved of his duties.

"In the future, I have no doubt that he could be the Real Madrid coach," Alonso responded awkwardly, "but regarding the question [of replacing me], I have not discussed that with him."

Zinedine Zidane and Jurgen Klopp are dream targets for Florentino Perez, but neither is understood to be available. Zidane is set to replace Didier Deschamps as France boss, while Klopp is content with his role as Red Bull's Head of Global Soccer.

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