In this round La Liga, nine-man Real Madrid lost 0-2 to Celta at home.Amid internal and external troubles, the conflicts erupted completely.
Real Madrid’s managerial crisis has reached a boiling point as Xabi Alonso’s position hangs by a thread, with club sources confirming Zinedine Zidane has emerged as the top candidate to replace him should results fail to improve. The Spanish coach’s future now hinges on Wednesday’s Champions League clash against Manchester City, labeled a “do-or-die test” after Sunday’s humiliating 0-2 home defeat to Celta Vigo.
Dismal Form and Dressing Room Chaos
Alonso’s tenure has unraveled rapidly following a promising start, with Real winning just one of their last five La Liga games to trail leaders Barcelona by four points . The loss to Celta was particularly damaging: two red cards left Madrid to finish with nine men, triggering fan boos at the Santiago Bernabéu and exposing deep rifts in the squad . Tensions between Alonso and key players like Vinícius Júnior and Jude Bellingham have festered, with reports of player resistance to his intensive tactical demands and limited game time for star names .
Post-match chaos in the dressing room—including thrown items and heated arguments—has further undermined Alonso’s authority . The coach acknowledged flaws in his tactical setup but blamed injuries, notably Éder Militão’s season-threatening biceps femoris tear, for derailing his plans . However, club president Florentino Pérez has made it clear that “immediate change is non-negotiable,” with Madrid’s hierarchy holding late-night crisis talks to assess next steps .
Zidane as the Top Target
While Alonso clings to the hope of turning fortunes around against City, Real’s board has already identified Zidane as their preferred successor . The French legend, who led Madrid to three consecutive Champions Leagues during his previous tenure, remains the fans’ choice despite his commitment to take over the France national team after the 2026 World Cup . Pérez is pushing for Zidane to return as a “firefighter” until the end of the season, though concerns persist about conflicting commitments with the French Football Federation .
Bookmakers have installed Zidane as the clear favorite at 3/1 odds, ahead of Jurgen Klopp (5/1) and Unai Emery (7/1) . Insiders note Zidane’s deep understanding of Madrid’s culture and ability to manage elite egos make him the safest option amid chaos . However, conflicting reports suggest Madrid has not yet formally contacted Zidane, with the club waiting to see the outcome of the City match before acting .
Make-or-Break for Alonso
Alonso, who arrived last summer with a mandate to modernize Madrid’s style, has seen his “rock and roll” football project unravel amid dressing room resistance and poor results . The former midfielder insists he is focused solely on the City game, calling it “the perfect chance to respond” to recent criticism . But with Pérez’s patience exhausted and the squad divided, a defeat at the Bernabéu would likely seal his fate .
As Madrid prepares for the decisive champions league tie, the football world waits to see if Alonso can pull off a dramatic rescue—or if Zidane’s third coming at the Santiago Bernabéu is set to become reality. For Los Blancos, the stakes could not be higher: a place in the Champions League knockout stages and the future direction of the club hang in the balance.
