Ex-Liverpool star is shock contender to replace Alonso who could be sacked soon

Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso is under pressure at the Bernabeu after some poor results and the ex-Liverpool star next faces Manchester City in the Champions League

Xabi Alonso could be replaced at Real Madrid by former Liverpool team-mate Alvaro Arbeloa. The Spanish head coach is under scrutiny at the Bernabeu and his position could come under threat if Los Blancos record a poor result against Manchester City.

Alonso only took over from Carlo Ancelotti in the summer and is currently second in La Liga. The Spanish giants slipped up at Celta Vigo at the weekend and are now four points behind Barcelona in the title race.

Former Bayer Leverkusen boss Alonso has overseen just one win in five league matches, and there are concerns that the Spaniard does not have a good connection with a significant part of the dressing room, according to The Athletic. Florentino Perez and the club's senior leaders are said to have had a meeting over Alonso's future.

The outlet also claimed there is no confidence that Alonso's position would be secure if Real were beaten by Manchester City in the Champions League on Wednesday. They are said to have a shortlist of candidates to replace the coach.

Arbeloa is one such figure, with the former player in charge of Madrid’s reserve team, Real Madrid Castilla, who play in Spain’s third tier. It is a role the ex-fullback has held since May after first returning to the Bernabeu as an under-14 coach in 2020.

Speaking ahead of Real Madrid's match against Manchester City, Alonso suggested he still had the backing of his team. “This is a team, and we're all in this together," he said.

"When you're the Real Madrid coach, you have to be prepared to enjoy these situations calmly and responsibly. I'm really looking forward to everything that's coming, which starts tomorrow.

"The Celta game is over and today it's just City. In football, things can change quickly, and we're in that moment now.

"City is the only thing on our minds. It’s the Champions League, we’re playing at the Bernabéu, and I’m sure the atmosphere will be special and different because of the energy that’s created. That’s what’s on our minds right now.”

Asked directly about the prospect of an imminent dismissal, Alonso said: "My focus is on the pitch, on City. I'm focused on that.

"The fans will be looking ahead to tomorrow's game, they'll be getting excited, just like us, and we hope to play a good match and shake off this feeling we had yesterday.”