What if the fate of Real Madrid’s manager came down to just three matches?
Xabi Alonso now faces the harsh reality of possibly being dismissed early from his role at the Bernabéu. According to Diario AS, his future will be decided in the next three fixtures. Real Madrid’s opponents—Alaves, Talavera, and Sevilla—may not be considered giants, yet the condition is unforgiving: lose even once, and the 44‑year‑old coach will be shown the door immediately.
On paper, these matches look favorable. Talavera, for instance, compete in Spain’s third tier, the Primera RFEF. But Florentino Pérez has made it clear that no further setbacks will be tolerated. The demand is absolute victory, reflecting the club’s uncompromising standards.
The pressure intensified after Real, without Kylian Mbappé, squandered a lead at home and allowed Manchester City to rally for a 2–1 win. That defeat pushed Los Blancos down to seventh place in the group stage, leaving them at risk of elimination unless they secure victories in the remaining two matches.
Alonso himself admitted responsibility after the loss: “We started very well but failed to control the situation and paid the price. After conceding twice, we tried to play proactively again, but our finishing was not good enough. I take full responsibility and will not blame anyone.” His words reveal both accountability and the weight of expectation.
Looking ahead, Real Madrid’s path is even more daunting. Monaco and Benfica, led by José Mourinho, await as the final hurdles in this Champions League campaign. From a tactical perspective, Alonso must prove he can stabilize the squad. From a leadership angle, he must show resilience under immense pressure. And from the club’s standpoint, defeat is simply not an option if they want to secure direct qualification for the knockout stage.
