- Real Madrid Consider Zidane Return As Pressure Grows On Alonso
- Celta loss deepens concerns and exposes squad tensions.
- City clash viewed as decisive as club reviews coaching direction.
Real Madrid are considering a dramatic move to bring Zinedine Zidane back as manager as pressure grows on Xabi Alonso, following a sharp dip in form and rising tension inside the dressing room.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that Senior club officials are said to be increasingly uneasy ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League clash with Manchester City, a match viewed internally as crucial to Alonso’s future. Confidence took a major hit on Sunday after Madrid suffered a 2 to 0 defeat to Celta Vigo at the Bernabeu, their first home loss to the side in more than twenty years. The setback widened Barcelona’s lead in La Liga to four points and shocked fans who expected a comfortable win.
Williot Swedberg scored both goals for Celta, while Madrid finished with nine men after Fran Garcia and Alvaro Carreras were sent off. The performance added to fears that the project under Alonso is losing direction.
Spanish reports claim relations within the squad have worsened in recent weeks. Cadena Ser reported that Alonso did not speak to his players after the Celta defeat and did not enter the dressing room, raising further concerns about communication with the squad.
Journalist Anton Meana said the situation mirrors earlier warnings. “What Carlo Ancelotti said last season is being repeated: this team is told one thing during the week, and then they don’t do it on the weekend. They have a coaching problem. They can’t seem to find the right formula. Furthermore, there might be a dressing room problem,” he said.
El Mundo reports that Zidane and Jürgen Klopp are the leading candidates if Madrid choose to make a change. Sources within the club reportedly believe the match against Manchester City is Alonso’s final chance to stabilise the season.
Despite the mounting speculation, Alonso insisted he still has the backing of his squad and remains focused. After the defeat, he said, “I’m not thinking about that. I’m thinking about the next game against Manchester City. We all have to stay united, all together. I feel perfectly capable of turning things around; La Liga is still a long way off. We can do it.”
Alonso has won 15 of his 21 matches since taking over from Ancelotti, but recent results have raised doubts about his ability to maintain control of a star filled dressing room.
