Former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso is one game away from the sack at Real Madrid, according to reports in Spain, with all eyes on their clash with Man City.
Alonso has won 15 of his 21 games in charge of Real Madrid but finds his position under constant scrutiny for a variety of reasons.
The Spaniard is perceived to have a difficult relationship with a number of high-profile players including Vinicius Jr., while a series of poor results has led to question marks over his future.
Sunday saw Real lose 2-0 at home to Celta Vigo – with two red cards for Alonso’s side and an assist from Iago Aspas – to ensure Barcelona stayed four points clear at the top of LaLiga.
Xabi Alonso future depends on Man City result – report
And according to MARCA, an emergency meeting followed at the Bernabeu wherein which president Florentino Perez and his advisors set a deadline for a response.
That will be the Champions League clash with Man City on Wednesday, with it strongly hinted that if Real lose that game Alonso will be sacked.
Former Real manager Zinedine Zidane is touted as a possible replacement, along with shock links to Jurgen Klopp.
Klopp is unsurprisingly described as the “more complicated option” and it seems highly unlikely that the German would end his break from management so soon even for the lure of Real.
Spanish newspaper AS are less emphatic when it comes to Alonso’s immediate future but similarly point out that, regardless of the structural issues in his squad, the buck typically stops with the manager.
Real have won only two of their last seven games – against Olympiakos in the Champions League and then Athletic Club in LaLiga – to lose a five-point lead over Barcelona.
That run started with a 1-0 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield, but of course Alonso’s former side are facing even worse issues themselves with only four wins in their last 15.
Liverpool owners backing Arne Slot amid Mo Salah storm
There have been no such suggestions of an ultimatum made to Arne Slot, who retains the backing of the board at Liverpool amid new pressure from within.
Mohamed Salah‘s public criticism has been likened to a civil war, and though some may have expected the club to favour one of their most legendary players, reports indicate Fenway Sports Group will instead stick with Slot.
Any decision over Slot’s future will be unrelated to Salah’s comments following the 3-3 draw with Leeds on Saturday, but of course Liverpool’s own form cannot be ignored for too long.