Xabi Alonso on Real Madrid sack talk: I still have players’ support

Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso said he has players’ support amid reports of his sacking. Madrid has managed a solitary win in the last five matches in LaLiga, including Sunday’s 2-0 home defeat to Celta Vigo at the Bernabéu, which has put doubts over the Spaniard’s job.

The Los Blancos will now host Manchester City in the Champions League amid the rising pressure on Alonso.

It was reported by ESPN on Monday that president Florentino Pérez met with the Madrid board after the Celta loss to discuss Alonso’s future.

“Yes,” Alonso said, giving a one-word answer when asked if felt he still had his squad’s support, in a news conference on Tuesday.

“The team is united, the team is convinced,” Alonso said earlier, when asked about the situation going into the City game. “Everyone is convinced we can win tomorrow. Nobody has doubts. But for that, we have to play with a good rhythm, intensity, and compete.”

Later, midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni admitted that Real Madrid’s recent results are not Alonso’s fault as the players were not able to deliver as per the game plan.

“In the Vigo game, for sure the coach had a good game plan,” Tchouameni said. “But in the end, we the players are on the field. If we’re at our level, we have more chance to win these games. If we lost 2-0, there’s a problem for us on the pitch, with the intensity. It isn’t the fault of the coach.”

Madrid are four points away from table-toppers Barcelona. Alonso said he wants to remain calm amid sacking reports.

“As Real Madrid coach you have to be ready to deal with these situations with calm,” Alonso said, when asked about the speculation. “That’s how I feel. I’m excited about what’s next, starting tomorrow, after the anger there was [after Celta], which is normal. Now we’re thinking about City, the Champions League. Things can change quickly in football.”