Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Real Madrid, Xabi Alonso, La Liga, Champions League
Josh Lawless
Real Madrid's surprise leading contender to replace Xabi Alonso has emerged ahead of the Champions League showdown with Manchester City.
Los Blancos host Pep Guardiola's side at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday, with Alonso and his side under huge pressure defeat after suffering a shock defeat at home to Celta Vigo on Sunday.
Real lost 2-0 after Williot Swedberg's double in the second half, with the hosts finishing the game with nine men after both Fran Garcia and Alvaro Carreras were sent off.
One report from Spanish outlet El Mundo claimed that the club toyed with the idea of sacking Alonso after the game.
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It was stated that the Spaniard's last chance' will be against City, with all eyes on the performance and result.
Former boss Zinedine Zidane has been heavily linked with another spell, while ex Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has also been tipped as a candidate.
However, an in-depth piece from The Athletic has revealed new information on who is at the top of Real's shortlist.
According to the report, former Real defender Alvaro Arbeloa is "highly regarded for the position". Arbeloa, who played in England with Liverpool and West Ham, manages Real's Castilla (reserve) outfit and knows the culture of the club.
So too did Alonso and he took the reins in May, replacing Carlo Ancelotti after his second stint. But the board are said to be "unhappy with the team’s image and recent result" and there are worries that "a significant part of the dressing room does not have a good connection" with Alonso and his way of working.
Real president Florentino Perez still has a great relationship with Zidane, who returned to Real in similar circumstances not long after his departure when Real were struggling under Julen Lopetegui.
Despite that, there are rumours that Zidane is poised to replace Didier Deschamps as France manager after the 2026 World Cup.
Now four points behind Barcelona in La Liga, Alonso is not getting carried away and believes his side can turn things around quickly.
"If we all stick together, knowing that this is football, we can reverse the situation," he said.
"There’s still a long season ahead and having a bad game at home is normal. It’s not ideal, but we have to look ahead.
"We know what self-criticism and high standards this club demands. We know that defeats hurt a lot."
Real are without a number of key players for the game, with Kylian Mbappe, Eduardo Camavinga, Eder Militao, Dean Huijsen, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dani Carvajal among those set to miss out through injury.