The Athletic FC Podcast

Episode: Is Alonso still facing Real Madrid sack?

Date: December 11, 2025
Host: Ayo Akinwolere
Guests: Dermot Corrigan (Madrid), Thomas Hill, Seb Stafford-Bloor (German football writer)

Episode Overview

In this episode, the panel dives deep into Xabi Alonso’s precarious tenure as Real Madrid manager. After just two wins in eight matches and rising tensions around player power, Alonso’s future is in question. The team analyses his current standing, the complexities of Real Madrid’s dressing room, player management challenges, tactical issues, and the intricacies of managing a superclub like Madrid. They compare Alonso’s struggles to previous managerial eras and discuss what might really change if a coaching switch occurs.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Alonso’s Job Status and Club Mood

Timestamp: 02:24 – 04:33

• Current Position: Alonso is considered "safe in the job for now," but only after displaying enough improvement in a strong loss to Manchester City following a "shambolic" Celta Vigo defeat.
• Recent Form: Only two wins in the last eight; back-to-back home losses, pressure from the board and fans.
• Short-Term Outlook: Alonso will have at least the next three games to turn things around (Alaves, Talavera in Copa del Rey, then Sevilla).
• Quote:
  • "Florentino Perez, we're sure, was really angry... was seriously considering making a change on the bench. Alonso survived that into Wednesday's game against Manchester City..."
    — Dermot Corrigan [03:14]

2. Player Power and Dressing Room Dynamics

Timestamp: 04:33 – 06:20

• Bellingham’s Support: Jude Bellingham, speaking post-Man City defeat, voiced support for Alonso, insisting the squad backs him despite poor results.
• Leadership Void: Since the exits of Kroos, Modric, and Ramos, there's a lack of natural leaders; Bellingham has become a key voice.
• Quote:
  • "The manager's been great... I think I've personally got a great relationship with him. A lot of the lads do as well... No one's downing tools, no one's complaining..."
    — Jude Bellingham (via Thomas Hill) [04:39]

3. Is the Sack Inevitable? (Real Madrid Crisis Cycles)

Timestamp: 06:20 – 09:31

• Real’s Patterns: Dermot Corrigan notes Madrid often have autumn crises but these don't always lead to sackings. Reference to Ancelotti bouncing back from crisis to Champions League glory.
• Alonso’s Modern Methods: The club wanted tactical evolution (pressing, less counter-attack focus), but the dressing room didn’t entirely buy in.
• Resistance and Tensions: Some players, especially Vinicius and Bellingham, have privately expressed doubts about Alonso’s system and the intensity of his tactical demands.
• Upcoming Fixtures: Results in the next huge games (including Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup) could determine Alonso's fate.
• Quote:
  • "Trying to get Bellingham, Vinicius, Mbappe to press in an organized way is difficult, as we've talked about here before..."
    — Dermot Corrigan [07:20]

4. Why Did it Unravel So Quickly?

Timestamp: 09:31 – 11:16

• Typical Madrid Turmoil: At Real, fortunes shift rapidly; project managers with big ideas (like Lopetegui before Alonso) have historically struggled.
• Inherited Issues: Alonso came into a trophyless, aging, injury-ravaged squad. Short time to implement change.
• Quote:
  • "But not surprised given the wider context around the club and what they've always acted like."
    — Thomas Hill [10:44]

5. Manchester City Defeat — Significance & Blame

Timestamp: 11:16 – 14:16

• Man City Loss: Losing to Pep Guardiola’s City at home stung, but Madrid’s intensity improved compared to the Celta defeat.
• Squad Problems: Defensive injuries (five defenders out), reliance on less experienced or out-of-position players; the loss was ascribed more to personnel issues than to effort.
• Team Effort: Fans recognized the effort, if not the execution.
• Quote:
  • "If you thought they looked bad against Man City, like against hey Celta at the weekend was like comparatively a lot worse."
    — Dermot Corrigan [11:38]

6. Impact of Fixture Congestion & Stadium Arrangements

Timestamp: 14:16 – 18:23

• String of Away Games: Due to NFL games at Bernabeu, Madrid played most recent matches away, making Alonso’s job harder.
• Hostile Environs: Did not help form or confidence, yet panel agrees Madrid should still have won those matches.
• Tactical Mismatches: Some fixtures didn’t suit Alonso’s pressing style; opponents exploited disconnects in Madrid’s press.
• Quote:
  • "The way they were able to beat the press was almost embarrassing for Madrid. They would just wait until they found which of the superstars wasn't pressing properly..."
    — Dermot Corrigan [17:07]

7. Vinícius Jr. Situation & Man-Management Challenges

Timestamp: 22:22 – 25:44

• Public Rebellion: Vinícius protested a substitution earlier in the season, apologized to others but not Alonso; no club sanction.
• Boardroom Signals: Florentino Perez did not back Alonso publicly, which weakened his authority and emboldened other players to show discontent.
• Soft Skills Deficit?: Alonso's reputation as a tactical thinker may be hurting more than helping in Madrid’s unique political/media cauldron.
• Quote:
  • "He thinks he’s Pep Guardiola, but for now, he’s just Xabi Alonso."
    — Senior player (reported by Mario), referenced by Thomas Hill [24:53]

8. Leverkusen Alonso vs. Real Madrid Alonso

Timestamp: 25:44 – 32:05

• Different Contexts: At Leverkusen, Alonso coached a young, receptive squad far from constant media glare. At Madrid, egos and scrutiny are constant.
• Madrid's Structure: Far more complex executive dynamics (Perez), less time and patience for "projects."
• Quote:
  • "People underestimate how much ego you need to play for one of those clubs... There isn't any of that at Leverkusen, really. It's very, very different."
    — Seb Stafford-Bloor [27:05]

9. Madrid’s Squad Building and Galáctico Identity

Timestamp: 29:04 – 32:05

• Not True Galácticos Anymore: While egos remain, Madrid’s actual quality, especially defensively, isn’t what it was in the original Galáctico era.
• Market Shifts: Club now invests in young potential (Vinicius, Tchouameni, Camavinga), can’t simply buy world’s best.
• Quote:
  • "It's a contradiction for sure. They're trying to still be the same Galactico idea while not having the money to spend..."
    — Dermot Corrigan [30:32]

10. Philosophical Gap: Barcelona vs. Madrid

Timestamp: 32:05 – 34:15

• Structural Contrast: Barcelona have a playing philosophy that persists through changes in management; Madrid rely on star-driven improvisation and short-term cycles.
• Managerial Challenge: Being a Madrid legend does not prepare a coach for the politicized, chaotic realities when in charge.
• Quote:
  • "It’s a little unfair to suggest that just because he was a former Madrid player, he should be used to the way of working. I’m sure it’s something totally different once you get behind that microphone..."
    — Thomas Hill [34:04]

11. Alonso’s Career Choices and Top Club Pressures

Timestamp: 34:15 – 36:24

• Why Madrid?: Given his Leverkusen success, next steps were always top tier (Madrid, Liverpool, Bayern), all of which are intense and unforgiving environments.
• Media Differences: At Leverkusen, the press environment was much more sheltered; Madrid offers no such protection.
• Quote:
  • "If you're a Leverkusen and you succeed... you really have three options... Those are all different types of fire."
    — Seb Stafford-Bloor [35:32]

12. Does Sacking Alonso Solve Anything?

Timestamp: 38:41 – 40:00

• Structural Problems Persist: Injuries, defensive issues, and lack of transfer policy consistency will remain, regardless of manager.
• Short-Term Fixes: Only Zidane might guarantee short-term results, but underlying issues (injuries, lack of cohesion, player unrest) would persist.
• Quote:
  • "Apart from, you know, placating some of those players who may be dissatisfied with his methods... you’ll still have the same issues in terms of injuries..."
    — Thomas Hill [39:07]

13. Alonso’s Squad Handicaps (Injuries and Depth)

Timestamp: 40:00 – 42:38

• Key Injuries: Militao’s absence, defensive suspensions, and the underwhelming integration of summer signings (Trent Alexander-Arnold, Carreras).
• Transfer Policy Scrutiny: Questioned reliance on free transfers (Alaba, Rudiger) and lack of depth at fullback.
• Upcoming Test: With both left-backs suspended, defensive makeshifts loom large for Alaves clash.
• Quote:
  • "That injury to Militao... was just cruel and it really hit the team. Alonso after the game and some of the players after the game said that that was one of the factors why they lost the game..."
    — Dermot Corrigan [41:31]

14. Alaves — a Make-or-Break Fixture?

Timestamp: 42:38 – 43:35

• Panel Consensus: A loss to Alaves would be viewed as a massive shock and would likely destabilize Alonso’s position further, yet sacking remains a complex issue with no obvious payoff.
• Potential Successors: Zidane or Castilla manager Arbeloa could step in, but neither is seen as a certain fix.

Notable Quotes

• Bellingham on Alonso:
  "The manager's been great. I think I've personally got a great relationship with him. A lot of the lads do as well... no one's downing tools." — [04:39]

• Thomas Hill on Real’s Crisis Cycle:
  "Project managers, if you want to call it like that, aren’t always welcome at Madrid." — [09:52]

• Seb Stafford-Bloor on Ego and Clubs:
  "People underestimate how much ego you need to play for one of those clubs... There isn't any of that at Leverkusen, really." — [27:05]

• Dermot Corrigan on Madrid Identity:
  "It's a contradiction for sure. They're trying to still be the same Galactico idea while not having the money to spend on the Galactico guys." — [30:32]

• On Club Philosophy:
  "Even with Barcelona through thick and thin, there’s still a philosophy there... Real Madrid to a certain degree... throw the best players on the pitch, let's see what they can do." — Ayo Akinwolere [32:05]

Important Timestamps

• Alonso’s Job Security: [02:24–04:33]
• Player Power/Bellingham Voice: [04:33–06:20]
• Madrid’s Crisis Patterns: [06:20–09:31]
• City Defeat and Team Effort: [11:16–14:16]
• Fixture Congestion/NFL Impact: [14:16–18:23]
• Vinícius Incident/Board Backing: [22:22–25:44]
• Leverkusen vs Madrid Coaching: [25:44–32:05]
• Squad Building and Galácticos: [29:04–32:05]
• Madrid vs Barca Philosophies: [32:05–34:15]
• Does Sacking Help?: [38:41–40:00]
• Squad Injuries and Depth: [40:00–42:38]
• Alaves as a Test: [42:38–43:35]

Memorable Moments

• Discussion of Vinícius Jr.'s open challenge to Alonso and the lack of public board support highlights the unique player-manager politics at Madrid.
• Contrasting club philosophies, with Barcelona’s continuity versus Madrid’s star-driven approach, frames why “project managers” struggle at the Bernabeu.
• The panel agrees that Alonso’s tactical reputation, while lauded in Germany, could be a hindrance in Real Madrid’s highly political, ego-driven context.

Tone and Language

The conversation strikes a balance between insightful analysis and relatable football fan candour. The panel are measured but candid in their critiques and show respect for the magnitude of the challenge at Real Madrid, often using wry, knowing humor about the club’s cyclical dramas and “project manager” curse.

Summary

Alonso faces a classic Real Madrid crisis: pressure from poor results, skepticism about his modern methods, and a divided dressing room. Jude Bellingham and senior players offer public support, but an absence of strong leadership has exacerbated squad unrest. Injuries, poor transfer policy, and fixture quirks have undermined his plans. The biggest issues—lack of long-term structure, player power, and the demands of Madrid’s culture—suggest that sacking Alonso may change little. The next three games will be critical, with arguably more questions about Real Madrid’s identity and management model than about Alonso himself.