Speculation around Real Madrid's search for a potential successor to the under-pressure Xabi Alonso has intensified, but Red Bull chief Oliver Mintzlaff has shut down hopes of luring Jurgen Klopp back to the dugout.

Even if Real Madrid and Vinicius Jr finally agree to a new deal, the club still has several decisions to make about its current squad, starting with David Alaba and Antonio Rüdiger. The two defenders are out of contract at the end of the season, and will likely not be offered extensions due to fitness concerns.

Xabi Alonso said he understood whistles from the Bernabéu crowd after Real Madrid's 2-1 Champions League defeat to Manchester City on Wednesday, while insisting there was "nothing to criticize" in his team's performance.

Kylian Mbappé has scored in his return from injury. His goal helped Real Madrid beat host Alaves 2-1 in the Spanish league to relieve some of the pressure on coach Xabi Alonso.

City clawed back a one-goal deficit pulling ahead thanks to a penalty converted by Erling Haaland before halftime

Even for Real Madrid, this has been an exceptionally dramatic week. The tensions and turbulence around Xabi Alonso came to a head after Sunday’s shambolic 2-0 home defeat against Celta Vigo in La Liga. It put his position in serious jeopardy, following a torrid run of form that has left them four points behind Clasico rivals Barcelona.

Real Madrid's narrow win gave Los Blancos short-term relief while the Villans' relentless rise continues to disrupt the Premier League's established order.