Real Madrid's defeat in Bilbao last weekend has given an unexpected twist to Florentino Pérez's plans for the future of the club. After the defeat against Athletic Club, the president of the white club has decided to change course regarding the choice of the next coach. The name of Xabi Alonso, who had been considered a firm option for January, is now moving away from the Madrid orbit.
The Defeat in Bilbao and the Crisis
Real Madrid arrived at San Mamés needing to get the three points to keep up with its fight for the top spot in La Liga. However, Carlo Ancelotti's team suffered a painful defeat against Athletic, which caused anger among fans and the board.
Despite the previous good season, this defeat revealed tactical and performance problems that Florentino Pérez hasn't ignored.
Xabi Alonso's Departure
For weeks, there have been rumors tha current coach of Real Sociedad Xabi Alonso could take over the reins of Real Madrid in January. However, after the recent defeat in Bilbao, Florentino Pérez has made the decision not to move in this direction in the short term.
The idea of signing Alonso in January has cooled off, as the club board believes such a drastic change in the middle of the season could create instability.
Plan B: Solari or Arbeloa
Given the current context, Real Madrid seems determined to continue with Ancelotti until the end of the season. If the Italian coach fails to turn things around and the team doesn't achieve the expected targets, Florentino Pérez already has a plan B. The option to replace Ancelotti would be an interim coach, with Santiago Solari or Álvaro Arbeloa as the main candidates.
Solari, a former Real Madrid player, already had experience in the first-team dugout in 2018. As for Arbeloa, he is emerging as a possible long-term replacement within the structure of the club. Both have the backing of Florentino Pérez and are considered viable options if the situation becomes even more complicated.
Conclusions on the Future of the Club
The U-turn in Real Madrid's strategy reflects the internal tension that has been felt in the club following the defeat in Bilbao. Florentino Pérez faces the dilemma of keeping his faith in Ancelotti or looking for short-term solutions to improve the team's performance.
Xabi Alonso's future at Madrid appears to be moving further away as the club prepares for a possible change of manager.