Xabi Alonso was on top of the world at Bayer Leverkusen. Winning trophies, creating superstars, playing the most exciting brands of football across Europe, ending Bayern’s chokehold on the league, going an entire season without losing a game, everything was going right for the Spanish legend.
However, since his move to Real Madrid, things haven’t been so rosy for the master tactician.
Alonso, who spent 5 successful seasons at Real Madrid as a player, winning 5 trophies, including a La Liga and a Champions League, has been struggling to recapture the same success as a manager.
His reign has been so disappointing that there are murmurs over cracks in dressing room relationships, the question marks over job security, and now even the fans are losing faith in their manager over terrible substitutions and formation changes that aren’t working.
Alonso’s short-term reign as the Real Madrid manager was summed up in the last game when he was spotted doing his signature move at the end of the 1-1 draw against Girona.
After Barcelona leapfrogged Real Madrid at the top of the table with their 3-1 win against Deportivo Alaves, this was a must-win game for Real Madrid. Unfortunately, things did not go according to plan as Girona took the lead in the first half.
Kylian Mbappe equalized for Madrid from the penalty spot, but Alonso’s side could not get the elusive 2nd goal, making this their 3rd straight draw in La Liga.
The French captain spurned a golden opportunity in the dying moments of the game that someone of his caliber should have buried away. As the ball went agonizingly wide, Alonso fell to his knees, looking at the ground in disbelief.
signature move. https://t.co/MBSFQYPYl2 pic.twitter.com/uaxSpVtT5k
— JEY🥇 (@Mmonkoaa) November 30, 2025
This isn’t the first time he has been on his knees after a disappointing result. He pulled out his signature pose at the end of the 2-2 draw against Elche as well.
Alonso’s reaction is understandable given the sheer amount of pressure that comes with being the Real Madrid manager. After his incredible success at Leverkusen, he was brought in to Real Madrid to transform the club.
However, nothing has gone right for him, and players are struggling to adjust to his system while fans, who are used to immediate results, are tired of his talks about “process” and bad substitutions.
With murmurs of discontent in the dressing room and key players not being big believers in Alonso or his system, there is rising speculation that he could be sacked if performances don’t improve soon.
Do you think Alonso can turn it around, or do you think he’ll get the sack? Let us know in the comments section.
