In stunning information on Monday night time, Actual Madrid formally sacked Xabi Alonso after lower than eight months on the job within the Spanish capital.
Los Blancos appeared to have regular the ship on each side to begin the brand new yr, however Sunday’s 3-2 Tremendous Cup defeat to arch-rivals Barcelona was the ultimate nail in Alonso’s coffin on the Bernabéu.
Madrid, who at present lead La Liga with a four-point distinction over Barça, additionally introduced on Monday night time that former Liverpool teammate Alvaro Arbeloa can be his successor.
However whereas the previous Bayer Leverkusen supervisor could have largely didn’t stay as much as expectations following his blockbuster return to the Bernabéu, Alonso isn’t wanting choices in the intervening time.
There is no such thing as a doubt that the Outdated Trafford hierarchy was on excessive alert following Alonso’s shock departure, as Manchester United are nonetheless looking for a everlasting alternative following Ruben Amorim’s messy divorce with the Premier League strugglers final month.
Alonso’s troublesome return to Madrid involves an finish
Alonso’s return in the summertime was thrilling to many across the Bernabéu, the place he spent 5 years as a participant between 2009 and 2014, having fun with success in each La Liga and the Champions League.
Nonetheless, regardless of a vibrant begin to life below the previous Bayer Leverkusen supervisor, the Whites have proven some actual instability since getting back from worldwide break in November, resulting in hypothesis that the 44-year-old is carrying critical strain on his shoulders.
With the Spanish icons ending the 2024/25 season with none silverware, Alonso’s targets have been very clear.
Alonso was unable to copy the identical method established throughout his well-known tenure at Leverkusen, spending solely eight months within the Spanish capital, with the previous Liverpool midfielder reportedly having a big public controversy behind the scenes.
Attacking famous person Kylian Mbappé could have praised Alonso in a social media put up following Monday’s announcement, however the BBC suggests the pair had a heated argument forward of Sunday’s Tremendous Cup match towards Barcelona.
It needs to be a roller-coaster summer season, with Alonso assessing his choices so it might be assumed that he will not bounce into any position right away, however United could really feel they’ve a golden alternative and can be eager to stake a declare early on.
The Crimson Devils should wait till the summer season, however they are going to certainly really feel that Alonso is the proper individual to mastermind United’s newest try at a whole overhaul.
The times of Xabi Alonso in command of Actual Madrid are over.
The membership described the choice as a “mutual settlement”. pic.twitter.com/EpBTJflX2S
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) January 12, 2026
Carrick to make non permanent return to Outdated Trafford
Manchester United are coping with one more public drama behind the scenes after Amorim made his personal blockbuster exit final week.
Darren Fletcher could have briefly taken cost throughout United’s 2-1 FA Cup defeat at dwelling to Brighton on the weekend, however it appears to be like like one other former Reds midfielder can be in cost till the top of the season.
It appears to be like more and more sure that Michael Carrick will reply United’s SOS name after additional profitable conversations on the weekend.
The information could have been overshadowed by the information of Alonso leaving the Bernabéu, however on Monday it was reported that Carrick was near agreeing a deal till the top of the season.
He has been with no job since parting methods with Championship membership Middlesbrough in June, however was United’s caretaker supervisor after Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s departure in 2021, managing three video games for the Reds.
Carrick is predicted to be within the dugout for the Manchester derby at lunchtime on Saturday.
Many round Outdated Trafford are understandably sad in regards to the arrival of one other caretaker supervisor halfway by way of the season, however they’d be open to a short lived stopgap if United bosses can lure Alonso to Manchester forward of the 2025/26 season.
🚨 Michael Carrick has been in energetic contact with INEOS and Man United’s administration to change into the brand new interim supervisor.
Manchester United will announce their new supervisor this week and Carrick is hopeful of taking the job.
Solskjaer is awaiting the membership’s choice.
🎥 https://t.co/db5zGPd80F pic.twitter.com/hZoDiqYZvO
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 12, 2026
