Football Weekly Extra – Is Xabi Alonso’s Time Up at Real Madrid?

The Guardian | December 11, 2025
Host: Max Rushden
Panel: Barry Glendenning, Mark Langdon, Philippe Auclair, Sid Lowe

Episode Overview

The panel unpacks Xabi Alonso's struggles at Real Madrid following a Champions League defeat to Manchester City, debates whether the club’s legendary egos are at odds with his tactical approach, and examines internal squad and recruitment issues. They also review Newcastle's late draw in Leverkusen, Arsenal’s flawless Champions League run, and discuss the latest Premier League and World Cup talking points, including the intersection between football and betting, and FIFA's relationship with US politics.

Main Discussion: Real Madrid's Alonso Conundrum

The Situation at Real Madrid

• Recent form: Real Madrid lose 2–1 to Manchester City, making it two wins in their last eight games, and their worst run in four and a half years.
• Alonso's future: Intense pressure is mounting. Following a long meeting after the shock defeat to Celta Vigo, Alonso's job is in jeopardy. However, no immediate sack is decided post-City loss, with upcoming matches likely pivotal.

  “On the outside seems kind of mad… but it's Real Madrid.” (Sid, 01:41)

• Factors at play:
  • Recent injuries (eight first-team players out) create room for mitigating Alonso’s results.
  • Public narrative versus internal tensions: fans and some club figures are unconvinced by the trajectory.
• Real problem: It’s easier to change a manager than overhaul the squad.

  “There's only one Vinicius but there are loads of managers out there.” (Sid, 03:50)

Dressing Room Dynamics & Leadership

• Managerial style:
  • The "left hand" philosophy: successful Real coaches have used a “soft touch,” engaging the dressing room and making players believe ideas are theirs (Vicente del Bosque’s maxim).

    “The secret is making them think it was their idea…” (Sid, 04:39)

  • Alonso is a “systems coach,” expected to add structure—antithetical to the squad’s freeform tendencies and desire for player-led football.
• Current Squad Shortcomings:
  • Leadership vacuum post-departures (Ramos, Kroos, Modric, Ronaldo).

    “Where’s the central midfielder who actually makes them play? There kind of isn’t one.” (Sid, 06:49)

  • Midfield lacks a playmaker—Alonso wanted Martín Zubimendi, but the club did not invest.
  • No clear solution to “constructing” attacks; the squad is built around individualism.
• A telling moment:
  • 59th minute vs. City: Vinicius neglects a clear pass to Rodrygo, signaling lack of cohesion and underlying issues.
  • “Real Madrid don’t play at anything. There’s no idea, no structure… nothing.” (Sid, 13:50)

Blame & Next Steps

• Recruitment vs. Management:
  • Squad assembly and lack of investment blamed on hierarchy (Florentino Pérez), not just Alonso.
  • Real Madrid cited for uncharacteristically careful spending.
• Alonso’s relationship with squad:
  • Players defend the manager publicly post-match, but real buy-in is questioned.
• What happens now?
  • Panel uncertain; Sid suggests unless Alonso quickly extracts a definitive improvement, his tenure may end soon.

Notable Quote

“The problem is you go, 'Change the manager!' Okay, who takes over?” (Sid, 19:57)

Manchester City’s Perspective (14:50)

• City’s improvement since last year’s embarrassing Bernabéu performance.
• Young talent: O’Reilly’s versatility, Doku’s growth.
• Guardiola’s satisfaction: “They feel like they’re growing… that left-hand side is really exciting.” (Mark, 14:50)

Antonio Rüdiger: Hero or Liability? (16:48)

• City’s penalty was rightfully given.
• Rüdiger’s “madman” antics—aggression at the edge of liability.

  “He’s a liability, and he’s a liability in part precisely because of that…those moments cost them.” (Sid, 16:48)

• He oscillates between indispensable and reckless.

La Liga/Spanish Clubs Roundup (18:31)

• Villarreal: Out of Champions League despite strong domestic form—“beat everyone they should, not anyone they shouldn’t.”
• Next Real Madrid manager: Zidane is always rumoured, but his interest likely lies in the France job; internal options include Solari or Arbeloa.

  “When Zidane left, he explained he wasn’t supported, wasn’t backed…” (Sid, 19:57)

• Left-field appointments possible given the club’s approach to managers as "necessary evils."

Champions League Roundup

Newcastle 2–2 Leverkusen (22:59)

• Newcastle let in a late equalizer after being outplayed early.
• Key moments:
  • Volta Madde wins and converts a penalty (Gordon).
  • Young midfielder Mazra’s impressive performance for Leverkusen.
• “Newcastle were really disorganized, which is unusual for an Eddie Howe team.” (Mark, 26:00)

Arsenal 3–0 Club Brugge (27:39)

• Arsenal clinch top-eight with a perfect record.
• Wonderful goals:
  • Madueke and Martinelli both scored sublime individual efforts.
• Gabriel Jesus’s return: “A real boon,” sharp and immediately contributing.
• Arsenal youth: “They wheeled another 16-year-old off the assembly line…” (Barry, 30:17)

Other Notables

• Dortmund 2–2 Bodo:
  • Bodo punch above their weight, holding Dortmund despite being under siege.
• Benfica beat Napoli:
  • Benfica stage an unlikely comeback in the standings; Napoli struggling under Conte (“Conte being rubbish in Europe—death, taxes…”). (Mark, 33:26)
• Athletic–PSG 0–0:
  • Exceptional goalkeeping from Unai Simon.

    “One of the great goalkeeping performances I’ve seen in Europe this season.” (Philippe, 34:31)

• Ajax finally win (4–2 at Qarabağ); brief mention.

Premier League Preview & Off-field Issues

Brighton, Betting, and the Guardian Ban (36:49)

• Tony Bloom betting scandal:
  • FA's 2014 dispensation allowed owner-bookmakers (Bloom, Benham, Coates) legally, but allegations of misuse by proxies have emerged.
  • Broader questions raised about the relationship between English elite football and sports betting.

    “How is it possible the owner of a club is allowed to control one of the biggest private betting syndicates?” (Philippe, 37:16)

  • “Streisand Effect” as Guardian’s ban escalates the story's visibility.

Tyne-Wear Derby Nerves

• Barry’s perspective: “It's great if you win, terrible if you lose.” (Barry, 40:04)
• Newcastle have recent travel fatigue; Sunderland have a better squad this time.

Tottenham’s Consistency

• Mark: Good recent performances, but wary of away form evening out.

World Cup & FIFA: Ethics, Ticket Prices, and Politics (43:00)

FIFA’s Untouchability & US World Cup Visa Fears

• World Cup final tickets escalate to $7,600+ due to dynamic pricing; some selling for $30,000, likely out of reach for most fans.
• US Visa Concerns:
  • New measures may require visitors to provide five years of social media data.
  • Fans’ political posts could see them banned at the border.

    “Given how much it’s going to cost...you could arrive and be turned back at the border.” (Philippe, 46:17)

  • “To be honest, my advice to everybody is, don't fucking bother. Just stay at home.” (Philippe, 47:19)

Drinks Breaks: Commercial Invasion?

• FIFA will add two three-minute hydration breaks per game, primarily to accommodate advertisers, but potentially affecting flow and rhythm.

  “It’s clearly a cynical move to allow more adverts…very low down my list of things to be annoyed about.” (Barry, 48:31)

• Contagion risk: Could spread to other competitions if normalized.

FIFA & Infantino's Ethics

• Fair Square complaint against Infantino:
  • NGO files ethics complaint for serial breaches of neutrality, citing his public alignment with Trump and politicization of FIFA.
  • “Absolutely solid…will lead absolutely nowhere as far as FIFA is concerned, but it’s had a real echo in the media worldwide.” (Philippe, 51:06)

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• Del Bosque’s manager trick:

  “The secret is making them think it was their idea…” (Sid, 04:39)

• Existential Real Madrid:

  “City were the being, and Real Madrid were nothingness. It was like Jean Paul Sartre… being and nothingness.” (Philippe, 10:56)

• On Antonio Rüdiger:

  “He's a liability, and it's precisely those kind of mad moments…” (Sid, 16:48)

• On US border checks:

  “You could arrive… and be turned back at the border. That’s the real risk.” (Philippe, 46:17)

• On FIFA’s drinks breaks:

  “I have no strong opinions…but it’s clearly a cynical move to allow more adverts.” (Barry, 48:31)

• Advice for would-be US World Cup fans:

  “Just stay at home. I mean, what's the point?” (Philippe, 47:19)

Key Timestamps

• 01:41: “On the outside seems kind of mad… but it's Real Madrid.” – Sid Lowe
• 04:39: Del Bosque's "left hand" philosophy explained – Sid Lowe
• 13:50: “Real Madrid don’t play at anything. There’s no idea, no structure… nothing.” – Sid Lowe
• 16:48: “He’s a liability…and it’s precisely those kind of mad moments…” – Sid Lowe on Rüdiger
• 37:16: “How is it possible the owner of a club...controls one of the biggest private betting syndicates?” – Philippe Auclair
• 46:17: “You could arrive… and be turned back at the border.” – Philippe Auclair
• 48:31: “It’s clearly a cynical move to allow more adverts…” – Barry Glendenning

Tone

True to Football Weekly tradition: informed, irreverent, light-hearted with moments of sharp critique and dry humor. The panel’s candor and comedic touch render even serious topics approachable.

For Listeners

If you missed the episode:

• The Real Madrid section delivers an insider’s look into why even a “systems coach” like Alonso can falter under Bernabéu’s unique pressures.
• Rest assured, Arsenal fans, your team is purring, while Newcastle fans will commiserate over another late collapse.
• If you care about football politics or are plotting a US World Cup trip, the warnings and eyebrow-raises are essential listening.
• And as always, come for the football, stay for the wit.

Happy birthday to Johannes Tyrella—a true Football Weekly devotee!