Spanish media are abuzz with speculation that Real Madrid’s head coach, Xabi Alonso, might be facing an abrupt exit from his position in the coming days.

Alonso’s stint with the football powerhouse took a significant downturn on Sunday night when his team suffered a 2-0 defeat to Celta Vigo. This disappointing result left Madrid trailing arch-rivals Barcelona by four points in LaLiga, a stark contrast to their five-point lead just a month prior.

The loss was marred by a heated tunnel confrontation following the dismissal of two players and saw Jude Bellingham emerge with injuries. This turmoil has fueled rumors of a rift between Alonso and some of his star players, including the likes of Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe, and Vinicius Jr.

Discussions have revolved around the team’s troubling form, a spate of injuries—most notably the sidelining of key defender Militao for several weeks—and contentious officiating decisions.

Reports indicate that during a recent meeting, it was decided Alonso’s future hinges on the team’s performance against Manchester City in the Champions League this week, leaving him with only a short window to secure his position.

Xabi Alonso’s Real Madrid future could depend on this week’s result against Manchester City

There is said to be a divide between Alonso and some of his Real Madrid players amid their poor run of form

Madrid will host Pep Guardiola’s side on Wednesday evening in Europe’s premier competition, which sees them fifth in the table with four wins and one defeat – which came against Liverpool – to their name so far.

In all competitions, Alonso’s side have just three wins in their last seven games, which is down on what the club were expecting from their former midfielder when he took over after leaving Bayer Leverkusen in the summer.

It’s also reported that Madrid are already looking at alternative options should they look to move on from Alonso. Club legend and former manager Zinedine Zidane has been touted for a potential return, but former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is the most eyebrow-raising suggestion.

Klopp quit Liverpool at the end of the 2023-24 season after nearly nine years, citing burnout and taking up a role at Red Bull as Head of Global Soccer.

He has seemingly ruled out ever returning to the dugout, but it’s unlikely that would unlikely put Madrid off from trying the German’s hand with an offer.

Zidane, meanwhile, won the Champions League in charge of Madrid on three consecutive occasions, but has not managed since leaving for a second time in 2021.

A poor rapport between Alonso and his players has been of high focus in recent times. The 44-year-old is believed to have a more hands-on approach than successful Madrid man-managers like Carlo Ancelotti and Zidane, with strict rules to weed out ‘bad habits’ and the assertion that players have to fight for their place in the first XI every time they train.

As per Mundo Deportivo, those have not taken to the arrival of Alonso in the Spanish capital include Vinicius Jr, Fede Valverde, Brahim Diaz, Rodrygo, Endrick, and Ferland Mendy.

Madrid are said to be monitoring former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp as a potential replacement for Alonso

Star forward Vinicius Jr is thought to be the most high-profile player who does not want Alonso to be in charge

Valverde has been frequently played out of position under the new manager, at times slotting into right back over the injured Dani Carvajal and Trent Alexander-Arnold as he returns to full fitness, while Diaz and Rodrygo have been played selectively and largely from the bench.

Brazilian teenager Endrick has failed to feature in all but one fixture this season, after struggling to make an impression on his new manager.

But Vinicius Jr remains Alonso’s most notable detractor, with the Brazil international letting his feelings be known as he was substituted during El Clasico last month.

The forward angrily shouted ‘I’m going to leave this team’ as he stormed off the pitch without acknowledging his manager, and he acted similarly when he offered a public apology but failing to name Alonso in the social media message.

Reports have also emerged that Vinicius Jr is not considering extending his current contract – which runs until the summer of 2027 – under current circumstances.