Under-pressure manager Xavi Alonso says Real Madrid are “working together” from the dressing room to the boardroom in a bid to turn around their poor run of form.
Former Bayer Leverkusen coach Alonso has not ruled out a move to the Premier League in the future. He was appointed by Real Madrid to replace Ancelotti in the summer and signed a three-year contract.
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Six months later, he appears to be stuck in his job.
Real Madrid lost 2-0 at home to Celta Vigo on Sunday, making it their first win in five La Liga games and four points behind leaders Barcelona.
Real Madrid, the 15-time European champions, will seek to end their recent troubles when they host Premier League side Manchester City in the Champions League on Wednesday.
“We are all in the same boat,” Alonso said at his pre-race press conference. “We have to go through positive and negative times.
“We need to believe that the next game is an opportunity and tomorrow we will have a very exciting game for all of us and we need to keep our eyes open and have this energy so that the Bernabeu can enjoy what we see.
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“This emotional bond will be very important tomorrow.”
Last week, Alonso spoke to club president Florentino Perez as pressure mounts on his job.
BBC Sport’s Guillem Balague reports that Alonso’s chances of survival are “slim” and that defeat to Manchester City in Europe could spell the end of his short career.
Alonso said the board was supportive.
“Communication is constant,” Alonso said. “We’re united, we’re all in this together, and I have a great relationship with them.”
Alonso mentions Liverpool ‘bond’
Alonso has not played or coached for any English club since leaving Liverpool to join Real Madrid in 2009, during his prime as a midfielder.
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Current Reds boss Arne Slott is under pressure as the defending champions perform poorly this season, with star player Mohamed Salah giving an explosive interview at the weekend.
Alonso, 44, remains a favorite at Liverpool and when asked by BBC Sport if he would consider a return to the Premier League one day, he left the door open.
He said: “Of course I have links with my previous clubs, but now this is my position. You never know what will happen in the future.”
Asked whether his current position could be replaced by former coach Zidane or Real Madrid B team coach Alvaro Arbeloa, Alonso said: “When you become Real Madrid coach, you need to be ready to face these situations, and all I can think about is the game.”
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Mbappe misses training
Kylian Mbappe has scored seven goals in his last four games for Real Madrid [Getty Images]
Kylian Mbappe is Real Madrid’s shining light in the 2025-26 season, scoring 26 goals, nine of which came in the Champions League.
The 26-year-old did not take part in Tuesday’s open training session amid reports in Spain that he suffered a broken finger, but he is still expected to feature against Manchester City.
Alonso is already dealing with an injury crisis – mainly defensively – with several key figures unavailable.
Eder Militao, who only returned from a groin injury on Nov. 30, suffered a torn hamstring on Sunday and will be on the sidelines again.
The Brazilian joins Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dani Carvajal, Dean Huyson and David Alaba in the treatment room.