The hope for a Zidane Real Madrid return is over for now. After a bad loss to Celta Vigo, Real Madrid are in crisis talks about manager Xabi Alonso’s future.
Many fans dreamed of seeing Zidane, their legendary former coach, come back to save the season. But club insiders have made it clear that a Zidane Real Madrid return is not part of their emergency plan.
The defeat has pushed Alonso to the brink. The club’s directors held an urgent meeting to discuss his position.
While Alonso is loved for his time as a world-class midfielder for Madrid, football is a results business. The board must now decide whether to stick with their young coach or make a change.
The Boardroom Debate
According to well-known Spanish journalist Manu Carreño, speaking on Cadena SER’s ‘El Larguero’ program, Madrid’s directors are split. “Some members of that board were in favour of sacking Xabi Alonso last night, while others were in favour of maintaining calm,” Carreño reported.
He explained that the club does not want to fire Alonso unless they absolutely have to. There is great respect for him. But the pressure is building with every poor result.
The club is now preparing for the worst-case scenario, which means picking a temporary manager to take over if Alonso goes.
The Temporary Fix: Solari and Arbeloa
When a big club like Real Madrid needs a new manager, big names always come up. Fans have talked about Liverpool’s Jürgen Klopp, Castilla coach Raúl, and of course, Zinedine Zidane.
The idea of a Zidane Real Madrid return is powerful. He is the man who won three Champions League titles in a row for the club.
However, Carreño’s information is firm: “It’s not Zinedine Zidane, he’s not going to be on the Real Madrid bench.” Instead, Madrid are looking at two former players already working for the club: Santiago Solari and Álvaro Arbeloa.
Solari has done the job before. He took over as caretaker manager in 2018 and won the Club World Cup before Zidane himself returned.
Arbeloa is a former defender and now a youth coach who knows the club inside out. They are seen as safe, short-term options to steady the ship.
This choice shows the club wants a simple solution, not the huge story that a Zidane Real Madrid return would create.
Why Not Zidane?
Choosing Solari or Arbeloa over Zidane tells us a lot. Bringing Zidane back would be a major event. It would bring massive attention and huge pressure. The board may feel that a caretaker manager needs to be a calm presence, not a superstar.
A Zidane Real Madrid return would make every headline, while an interim like Solari could focus quietly on fixing problems on the pitch.
It also might mean that Zidane himself is not interested in a rescue mission mid-season. He left the club on his own terms twice. Coming back during a crisis might not appeal to him.
What Happens Next for Alonso?
For Xabi Alonso, this news is mixed. Hearing that a Zidane Real Madrid return is off the table might give him a small breathing space.
His biggest potential replacement is not waiting in the wings. But the fact that the club is openly naming caretaker managers is a very bad sign. It means they are seriously planning for his departure.
Alonso’s fate will be decided on the pitch. He needs wins, and fast. The club’s patience is running out. The dream of a Zidane Real Madrid return will always be in the hearts of fans, but for now, the club’s leadership is thinking short-term. They are looking at Solari and Arbeloa, not Zidane.
The next few games will decide if Alonso can turn the tide, or if Real Madrid will have to activate their emergency plan and end his time as coach.
