Real Madrid Reach Decision on 'The Chosen One' to Replace Xabi Alonso as Manager

Real Madrid have reportedly lined up a successor from within to replace Xabi Alonso should the Bernabeu side opt to make a change in the dugout.

Alonso was appointed as Real's new head coach over the summer after making the move from German side Bayer Leverkusen, with whom he won the club's first ever Bundesliga title.

Alonso is a former Real player, having joined the club in 2009 from Liverpool for a reported £30m transfer fee, and went on to win the La Liga title and the Champions League in the Spanish capital.

He ended his playing career in 2017 after three successive Bundesliga titles with Bayern Munich and embarked upon a coaching career with Real Sociedad B.

Having joined Leverkusen in mid-2022, Alonso went on to win the Bundesliga, German Cup and the German Super Cup at the BayArena, as well as leading the team to the runners-up spot behind Atalanta in that season's Europa League.

Following his success in the dugout in Germany, Alonso replaced Carlo Ancelotti at Real over the summer and penned a three-year deal.

Currently in La Liga, Real sit second in the table and trail leaders Barcelona by four points, while Los Blancos are currently seventh in the group table of the Champions League after six matches, meaning they still sit in the automatic qualification places for the next round.

Xabi Alonso is under pressure at Real Madrid. (Image: Getty)

However, Alonso is under pressure to keep his job at the Santiago Bernabeu and more of this was piled on following a midweek 2-1 loss at home to Manchester City in the Champions League.

And media outlet Cadena Ser reports that Alvaro Arbeloa, who is currently in charge of Real Madrid Castilla, could be in line to become Real's next coach should Alonso move on.

When asked about that prospect ahead of taking on Alaves away on Sunday evening, Alonso said: "In the future, I have no doubt that he could be a coach, but regarding the question [taking over his position], we haven't discussed it."

But the publication also reports that the Real hierarchy will replace Alonso with Arbeloa should three points not be achieved against Alaves.

Arbeloa was a right-back during his playing career and was a team-mate of Alonso's at both Liverpool and Real.

The pair were also team-mates with Spain during the country's golden era of football success, winning two European Championships and the World Cup together.

Arbeloa became the boss of Real Madrid Castilla over the summer, replacing Real and Spain legend Raul.