Real Madrid will only need to pay Xabi Alonso his salary for this season after his brutal sacking on Monday.
Los Blancos confirmed they have relieved their manager of his duties following the 3-2 Spanish Super Cup defeat to Barcelona at the weekend.
Real Madrid sit second in LaLiga, four points behind Barca, and remain in the hunt for a top-eight finish in the Champions League to ensure their automatic qualification to the knockout stages.
President Florentino Perez only appointed Alonso in the summer, with their former midfielder signing a three-year deal.
Real Madrid Add Clause In Xabi Alonso Contract
Despite his contract until the summer of 2028, Real Madrid put a stipulation in his deal which meant he would only receive payment for the first season if he was sacked midway through.
Spanish publication Cope added that his departure was not mutual, but entirely at the hands of Perez.
While his sacking was abrupt, it didn’t come as a huge shock given the ruthlessness of the Real Madrid hierarchy. Alonso had been under pressure since the beginning of December.
The clause in his contract only reiterates the fact that there was little trust in Alonso’s leadership from the beginning, despite his brilliant success with Bayer Leverkusen.
He led Leverkusen to their first-ever league title in their 120-year history and became the first German team to complete an entire Bundesliga season unbeaten.
Following the Spanish Super Cup, Perez cut a frustrated figure next to the trophy podium and barely addressed Alonso when the manager approached.
Politics and player power often play a role in manager sackings at Real Madrid, and it appears Alonso is another to fall victim to one of the biggest jobs in world football.
Attention will now turn to their next target, with Zinedine Zidane and Jurgen Klopp among the favourites to become the next Real Madrid manager.
Arne Slot Looking Over His Shoulder
Alonso’s dismissal will only increase the pressure on Arne Slot at Liverpool.
Slot’s title defence has been lacklustre as they currently sit 14 points behind table-toppers Arsenal in fourth spot.
The Liverpool hierarchy would have certainly taken note of Alonso’s availability, particularly given the previous interest in their former midfielder.
Alonso was linked to Liverpool after Klopp departed following his success at Bayer Leverkusen, but he wanted to remain with the German club for one more year.
In 2018, he revealed it was “his dream” to manage Liverpool one day.
Alonso said: “Yes for sure, I have dreamt of that, but first I have to prove myself and prepare.
“If I decide somewhere along the way to take my chances as a manager, my link, my commitment, my passion with Liverpool is there.
“Why not? We will see if we can cross paths in our ways.”
