Just seven months were enough for Real Madrid to decide that Xabi Alonso wasn't the man to take the club into a new era. The Spaniard arrived at the Estadio Bernabeu as Carlo Ancelotti's replacement in June but the writing may well have been on the wall in the summer.
There were issues throughout Alonso's short-lived reign in charge of Los Blancos including his handling of Rodrygo at the FIFA Club World. A 4-0 loss to European champions Paris Saint-Germain in the competition's semi-finals set the tone for what would be a tumultous spell back in the Spanish capital.
Alonso was sacked on Monday (January 12th) after Madrid lost 3-2 to Barcelona in the Supercopa de Espana final the night before. Alvaro Arbeloa has been announced as his immediate replacement but it seems the Castilla coach will be stepping up to the senior team's coaching team temporarily.
That leads to one question and that is who will permanently take up the Bernabeu hotseat? Florentino Perez and the board have a chance to appoint one of Europe's most exciting coaches.
Madrid have golden opportunity to appoint World Champion
Alonso's Madrid were easily beaten by PSG at the Club World Cup and many expected the Parisians to go on and win the newly-formatted competition in the USA. But that wasn't the case as Luis Enrique's side suffered a shock 3-0 defeat to Chelsea in the final.
Enzo Maresca produced his best managerial performance of his short career thus far to defeat last season's Champions League winners. This came after the Italian led the Blues to the Europa Conference League, a minor trophy in the grand scheme of things but it at least ended the West Londoners' three-year trophy drought.
But trouble was ahead as Maresca collided with the Chelsea board, taking aim at their recruitment which is heavily focused on youth. He seemed to have little input on players coming into Stamford Bridge.
Maresca still managed to impress for large parts of his sophomore campaign in London. That included a stunning 3-0 win over Barcelona in the Champions League.
But after he publicly aired his grievances about the club's higher-ups, he was sacked on New Year's Day. It was a hugely controversial decision given he is the most successful manager the Blues have had since Thomas Tuchel.
Maresca is now available and is surely there for the taking if Madrid make a move for him. The 45-year-old has the confident personality to keep a group of players that is being criticised for their egos in check and perhaps that's what Alonso failed to do.
Madrid need to swoop quickly with Man City lingering
GiveMeSport's Ben Jacobs claims that Maresca held talks with Manchester City twice over the past few months while still in charge at Chelsea. He also reports that Serie A giants Juventus made an approach for the former Leicester City manager.
Maresca was ready to open talks over a new contract with the west London heavyweights but the board weren't happy with his conduct. There are whispers in England about the Italian being the man who succeeds Pep Guardiola at the Etihad once the Spaniard decides to bring his reign to an end.
Should Madrid be eyeing the former Italian midfielder as a potential Alonso replacement for the long run, they need to get on the operation quickly. Guardiola's current deal is up in the summer of 2027 but speculation is growing over the former Barca boss leaving his role at the end of this season.