The “Alonso Era” at a Crossroads: Real Madrid’s Future and the Weight of Expectation

For Real Madrid fans, the name Xabi Alonso has always carried a certain elegance. As a player, he was the “Professor” in the heart of the midfield—the man who dictated the tempo of La Decima. When he returned to the Santiago Bernabéu as manager in the summer of 2025, it felt like a homecoming written in the stars.

For someone who loves football, eal Madrid is the best, because of how big it is, because of its history, and because of the ambition and excellence we strive for.

Xabi Alonso

The Honeymoon is Over: A Rocky Start to 2026

After his historic, unbeaten run with Bayer Leverkusen, Alonso was seen as the natural heir to Carlo Ancelotti. But the transition hasn’t been seamless. Despite inheriting a “Galactico” squad featuring Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham, Madrid finds themselves chasing a relentless Barcelona in the La Liga title race.

• Injury Woes: The new year has started with a significant blow—Kylian Mbappé is ruled out with a knee injury, joining key defenders like Militão and Carvajal on the sidelines.
• The “Vini” Friction: Reports of a strained relationship between Alonso and Vinicius Junior have dominated headlines, leading to whispers that the “tactical genius” is struggling with the “ego management” required at the world’s biggest club./

What This Means for the Fans

For the Madridistas, Alonso represents more than just a coach; he is a symbol of the club’s DNA. But at the Bernabéu, patience is a luxury rarely afforded. As José Mourinho once famously noted about his former player:

“He reminds me of Pep Guardiola when I had him as a player. He was already a coach on the pitch.”

Yet, the fans are torn. On one hand, they want to give a club legend time to build a proactive, dominant machine. On the other, the recent boos heard at the Bernabéu suggest that results must come now. The fan base is even debating the “Castilla route,” with Álvaro Arbeloa impressing with the youth ranks.

The “Final Exam”: The Supercopa de España

The upcoming Spanish Super Cup is being viewed as the ultimate litmus test. A semi-final clash against Atletico Madrid looms, and for Alonso, it could be the difference between a long-term dynasty and a premature exit. As Alonso himself has admitted:

“Real Madrid is a big club, and like at any other big club, there are always critics after defeats.”