Alonso plays straight amid Madrid sacking rumours
Xabi Alonso agreed Alvaro Arbeloa could become Real Madrid's head coach in the future, but does not believe Monday's (AEDT) visit to Alaves is a make-or-break match for his own future in the job.
Alonso is under heavy pressure just six months after returning to the Spanish capital to coach the club he represented 236 times as a player.
A midweek 2-1 defeat to Manchester City dented Madrid's hopes of a top-eight finish in the league stage of the UEFA Champions League, while a run of one victory in five outings in LaLiga has left it adrift of Barcelona, which beat a stubborn Osasuna 2-0 on Sunday (AEDT) to move seven points clear at the top of the table.
Madrid's six defeats in LaLiga this calendar year are three times as many as it suffered in 2024 (two), with the recent drop-off coming after it won 13 of its previous 14 in the Spanish top flight.
Arbeloa, who is currently in charge of Madrid's B team, has been touted as a possible successor, and Alonso sees potential in the former full-back.
"He could be in the future. He's doing very well," Alonso said when asked if Arbeloa could one day manage the first team.
"But we have talked more about the players who are joining us tomorrow. We haven't discussed that, at all."
Despite suggestions the Madrid board is considering a change, Alonso is refusing to engage with the idea that anything less than three points at Estadio de Mendizorroza would force its hand.
Asked if he felt his job was on the line, Alonso said: "I always tell you that for me, the most important thing is the team and the club.
"Tomorrow, we have a very important match because of the current situation, and we want to change our recent run of results. We have a demanding opponent in front of us. That's what's at stake tomorrow.
"I've been involved in football for quite a few years, and in Spanish football, I'm sure there have been more managerial dismissals at this stage in the past than this season.
"My impression is that football is demanding, and there have been periods with more managerial sackings by this point.
"I'll leave you with that to think about in the coming days. I already have enough on my plate, and I'm not going to take on any extra work."
Alonso will be boosted by the return of Kylian Mbappe, who is available after missing the City game with a thigh injury.
"We have Kylian back," Alonso said. "He's fit to play so we'll see and decide tomorrow. It is good news, obviously."
