Xabi Alonso’s position at Real Madrid is hanging by a thread. The Los Blancos manager is staring at a possible dismissal following a poor run of form, and two names are already emerging as frontrunners to become the next Real Madrid manager – including Jurgen Klopp. With Alonso seemingly on the way out, Liverpool could suddenly become an option for the Spaniard, and the dramatic swing in the betting market speaks volumes.
Xabi Alonso on the Brink at Real Madrid
The pressure on Xabi Alonso at Real Madrid is reaching boiling point. After the 2–1 home defeat against Manchester City in the Champions League – a match dubbed the ‘Alonso final’ – the 44-year-old should realistically start clearing his desk. Here’s a quick look at what has gone wrong for the Spaniard:
What Went Wrong for Alonso
Sporting Collapse
With only one win from their last five league games, Real Madrid are enduring one of their worst runs of form in some time. To make matters worse, Los Blancos have only picked up two victories across their last eight games in all competitions.
Lost the Top Spot
A five-point lead over Barcelona has turned into a four-point deficit. Real Madrid will now have to battle from behind if they are to claim the La Liga title.
Playing Style
Results are one thing, but the key point of frustration for many fans has been the playing style. A series of sluggish, uninspired performances have pushed Alonso to the brink of the exit door.
Star Unrest
Ongoing tensions with Vinicius Junior do not help his cause. Certain media reports in Spain claim that Alonso has lost the dressing room. Even his relationship with Jude Bellingham is reportedly strained.
On one hand, you could say that Real Madrid are being a little overdramatic. The team average 2.18 points from 28 matches under Alonso, with the manager overseeing 10 wins from his opening 11 league games.
However, a 69% win rate is clearly not good enough for Real’s standards. It does not take much for the atmosphere to change at Santiago Bernabeu, and it appears that Alonso’s first slump in form could very well be his last.
Next Real Madrid Manager: Klopp & Zidane Lead the Market
Bookmakers in the United Kingdom are currently offering odds on the next Real Madrid manager, with two names standing tall above the rest.
Zinedine Zidane
Third spell for Zidane? The legendary Frenchman has already enjoyed two cracks at management, both with Real Madrid. The former midfielder coached Los Blancos for four years across his two spells, winning three Champions League titles.
Jurgen Klopp
Now Global Head of Soccer at Red Bull, Klopp has been linked with the Real job several times. His Liverpool era included huge success, including a Champions League title in 2019 and a Premier League crown in 2020.
Xabi Alonso Favourite to Replace Arne Slot at Liverpool
Alonso is expected to have plenty of job offers should he face the axe in the Spanish capital, but there is no hiding that Liverpool are at the top of the list.
Arne Slot remains under pressure at Anfield following a poor run of form and his public spat with superstar forward Mohamed Salah.
With Slot fighting for his job, some of the best online bookies have already put together a possible list of replacements, which currently sees Alonso as favourite.
Next Liverpool Manager Odds
| Next Liverpool Manager | Odds | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| Xabi Alonso | 2/1 | BetVictor |
| Oliver Glasner | 4/1 | BetVictor |
| Jurgen Klopp | 5/1 | BetVictor |
| Steven Gerrard | 5/1 | BetVictor |
*Odds correct at 11:00 GMT on 11/12/2025. Odds subject to change
Xabi Alonso to Liverpool Becoming More Likely
Bookmakers consider a Liverpool move for Alonso far more likely than just two weeks ago. His implied probability has effectively doubled. Klopp, meanwhile, is drifting.
A Liverpool return would make perfect sense for the Spaniard. Not only because he spent five hugely successful years at Anfield as a player (2004–2009, including the Champions League triumph), but also because he knows Liverpool’s expensive new stars Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong from their time together at Leverkusen. A reunion on Merseyside is certainly on the cards.
