After losing to Barca, Real Madrid decides Xabi Alonso's fate

The painful loss to Barcelona has led to significant developments inside Real Madrid regarding the coaching team's prospects.

Following the 2-3 loss to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final in Saudi Arabia, the biggest question is whether Xabi Alonso will lose his coaching position at Real Madrid. This marked Real's fifth defeat to Barca in their last six encounters, three of which were finals.

Pressure on Alonso had actually been mounting since late 2025, when Real Madrid won only 2 out of 8 consecutive matches across all competitions. Spanish media described the Spanish coach's situation as “red alert,” while Fabrizio Romano suggested the Super Cup could be a decisive turning point.

However, according to AS journalist Jose Felix Diaz, Real Madrid has no intention of dismissing Alonso. He confirmed “despite the loss to Barcelona, the coach's job is not at risk”and emphasized that the management views this as a moment to analyze issues rather than make extreme decisions.

Real Madrid’s stance is clear: the defeat in Jeddah is not seen as a catastrophic setback but as an opportunity for adjustment. The club believes the performance in the final shows the team still has a foundation to build on, and Alonso deserves more time.

Instead of changing the coach, Real Madrid identifies the root cause as the squad’s physical condition. Persistent injuries continue to plague the Royal team, with players frequently forced off the pitch. Improving fitness is the top priority at Valdebebas moving forward.

The coaching staff, together with the medical team, will receive full support from the club to tackle this “injury storm.” Real believes that if the fitness issue is managed, the team still has the capability to compete for titles for the remainder of the season.

Regarding transfers, Real Madrid also does not plan to “rescue” Alonso with January signings. The club maintains its stance against the winter market, meaning Alonso’s future depends on what he can achieve with the current squad rather than a rushed dismissal.