Fabrizio Romano Says Real Madrid Will Not Hire Zinedine Zidane for a Third Time

Renowned journalist Fabrizio Romano has claimed Real Madrid will not re-sign Zinedine Zidane for a third spell if Xabi Alonso is sacked mid-season. 

Alvaro Arbeloa, who is currently managing Real Madrid Castilla, is the favourite to replace the Spaniard.

Xabi Alonso Must Keep Winning to Keep Real Madrid Job

Xabi Alonso, who took over as manager in June, has been under intense scrutiny over the past few weeks.

Los Blancos have not looked their best and suffered defeats in high-profile matches against Liverpool (1-0) and Manchester City (2-1).

Things escalated after their 2-0 loss against Getafe at the Santiago Bernabeu. Spanish media claimed that the coach could be dismissed if Madrid fail to beat Deportivo Alaves in Gameweek 17.

Real Madrid did not have it easy, but they came away with a 2-1 victory, thanks to goals from Kylian Mbappe and Rodrygo.

Xabi Alonso: We’re in this together, each with our own roles, but communication is fluid. Constant trust, respect and ambition to want to improve. pic.twitter.com/4yZoVqA5Fr

— Real Madrid Info ³⁶ (@RMadridInfo) December 16, 2025

The Whites will now take on Talavera in the Copa del Rey before closing the year with a clash with Sevilla on Saturday. Then comes the Supercopa de Espana in January, which will pit them against Atletico Madrid.

On his YouTube podcast, Fabrizio Romano hinted Alonso needed to string together a series of wins to remain in the hot seat.

“They [Real Madrid] want to see exactly the same in Copa del Rey and in La Liga again with Sevilla,” said Romano after the Alaves win.

“And then there is the Spanish Super Cup, considered a really crucial moment. So in these games, Xabi Alonso must give confirmation of this change in results at Real Madrid. This remains the situation.”

Zinedine Zidane Unlikely to Return to the Bernabeu

Real Madrid have a shortlist of potential managers who could take over after Xabi Alonso.

Three-time Champions League winner Zinedine Zidane and Liverpool icon Jurgen Klopp are believed to be on the shortlist. However, Fabrizio Romano believes Alvaro Arbeloa is the leading candidate.

Romano added:

“From what I’m hearing, eventually, if things change, the name I’m hearing is Alvaro Arbeloa, who is already at Real Madrid, as one of the options in case the Xabi Alonso chapter will be over in the next weeks.

Roberto Carlos, Julio Baptista, Zinedine Zidane, Luis Figo and Clarence Seedorf pic.twitter.com/hDIAoTy1ST

— 90s Football (@90sfootball) December 12, 2025

“But I think Xabi deserves a lot of respect. He must be given the opportunity to show his skills as a coach. He just arrived a few months ago at Real Madrid.”

Unlike Zidane and Klopp, Arbeloa has not yet managed a senior squad. He has also only been in charge of Castilla since the start of the 2025/26 season.

In 20 games, the former Real Madrid right-back has taken them to 11 wins, three draws, and six defeats.