Real Madrid News
Real Madrid managerial target could consider taking up Real Sociedad – report
A subtle domino of the football transfer market might lead Real Madrid to miss out on their managerial target Xabi Alonso this summer.
It goes without saying that Bayer Leverkusen are dominating the German Bundesliga and Alonso is gaining widespread recognition for the same across the continent.
Despite rumours linking him to a return to Real Madrid, where he enjoyed a five-season tenure as a player, Alonso’s recent contract extension with Bayer until 2026 suggests an absolute commitment to his ongoing project in Germany.
As such, a report from Spanish publication SPORT has emerged that rather than making a direct switch to Real Madrid, the former midfielder might be inclined to take a different route altogether in order to undergo further development in his short coaching career.
Real Sociedad are in the mix?
It is to be noted that Real Sociedad hold a special place in Alonso’s heart, having represented the team for five seasons between 1999 and 2004.
Furthermore, he also honed his managerial prowess with their subsidiary team and achieved a historic promotion to Second Division A before leaving for the Bundesliga.
Now, he may be refraining from a direct move to Real Madrid as of today, but a transfer to Real Sociedad could pave the way for him to the Spanish capital in the future.
The San Sebastian-based team currently operates under the leadership of Imanol Alguacil and the Spaniard has a contract with them until 2025. It is not to say that Alguacil is having problems at Sociedad.
On the contrary, like Alonso, he is very much happy with his current role and expresses no desire for a change of scenery.
Alguacil is a wanted man
Considering the growth Sociedad have seen under Alguacil, however, there is a growing sense of belief that their manager might be lured away by a bigger team.
As such, Barcelona have been quite content with his style of play, but are said to be happy with Xavi at the moment.
What happens next would be interesting to see mostly because Alguacil’s success has not gone unnoticed by major clubs. However, if the main man is to move, Alonso might consider moving back to the team with which he started he started his playing as well as coaching career.
Elche manager Martin Anselmi knows his side cannot afford to spend 90 minutes simply absorbing pressure when Real Madrid arrive for Tuesday’s La Liga clash.
After showing greater resilience against Athletic Club, the Argentine wants Elche to take that confidence into one of their toughest fixtures of the season.
A 1-1 draw at San Mames provided some encouragement after a difficult opening to the campaign.
Elche had led for much of the second half before Athletic eventually found a way back, but Anselmi believes the performance offered a blueprint for what his team must do next.
“The fact that we put up a fight at San Mames makes us feel united and shows us that this is the path to follow,” said the Elche manager, as per MARCA.
Anselmi wants Elche to defend with the ball
Against Real Madrid, Anselmi does not intend to abandon the principles that helped Elche compete in Bilbao.
His preferred defensive strategy starts with keeping the ball away from the opposition.
“For us, the best way to defend is to keep possession. I think we need to show the same defensive resilience as we did at San Mames and defend with the ball.”
That approach will face a severe examination against a Real Madrid side possessing the quality to punish even brief lapses.
Elche have already conceded 13 goals this season and currently sit 19th, making defensive concentration a major concern.
On that note, Anselmi is fully aware of the individual threat Madrid possess.
“They make complicated moves look easy and push you to the limit. We mustn’t give anything away and need to stay focused throughout the match.”
The fixture arrives at an awkward time for Anselmi, who has had limited preparation time before facing Madrid, and Yago de Santiago will be the only confirmed absentee.
“The most important match is the next one. From there, we’ll see who’s in the best form and spread the workload,” said the Elche boss.
Real Madrid test comes at a crucial moment
Elche’s start to the 2026/27 season has been anything but positive.
They drew with Deportivo La Coruña before losing three consecutive games against Barcelona, Racing Santander and 10-man Real Sociedad, during which they conceded 11 goals.
The draw against Athletic halted that run, but it did not erase the defensive problems. Elche currently have the second-worst defensive record in La Liga, leaving Anselmi with little margin for error against Real Madrid.
