The deafening whistle that greeted former Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola before kickoff turned into cheers from visiting fans after Manchester City secured a brilliant Champions League victory over Real Madrid, leaving ხაბი ალონსო's job hanging by a thread.

Guardiola's connections with Real's rivals haven't been forgotten by home fans, and it's ironic that the Barça man might be the one to nail the coffin on Alonso's tenure.

Despite earlier reports suggesting Alonso could lose his job if they lost, BBC Sport has learned that his position isn't immediately under threat and will likely be reassessed over the next few days, but consecutive defeats against Alaves on Sunday could signal the end.

As the referee's whistle blew on a 2-1 loss to City on Wednesday, the music at the stadium was cranked up to maximum volume, possibly to drown out any boos directed at Alonso.

By then, many had left, and after the volume lowered, 'We've got გვარდიოლა' was the song heard around the Bernabeu Stadium from the 2,500 traveling supporters, a moment that will sting every Madridista.

Asked if he spoke to the chairman Florentino Perez, Alonso replied, 'I came straight here.'

Real Madrid's board considered their options after a loss to Celta Vigo on Sunday, and it would be a surprise if they don't convene again.

Players '100%' behind Alonso

Real started as if they were turning things around, taking the game to City and going ahead with a low-driven effort from Rodriquez.

But they conceded twice in the final 10 minutes of the first half, with Nico O'Reilly's close-range strike and Erling Haaland's penalty.

Madrid ultras, all in white in front of the goal, cheered and applauded until Haaland's penalty hit them, silencing them.

However, there was a period of unrest from 65 to 71 minutes when fans booed the players three times in frustration - the message was 'give us more.'

They pressed and created chances after that, but whether it's enough to save Alonso is the question. The impression is that they have another go, and that gives him some credit.

The overall sentiment is that the manager isn't to blame, it's the players who aren't following his instructions - they're the ones who need to listen more and start using what's demanded.

Former Bayer Leverkusen coach Alonso was appointed before the World Club Championship in the summer and started with 13 wins from 14 games this season, but began the wrong way after a loss to Liverpool on 4 November.

Real have only won twice in eight games since then and there seems to be a clash of cultures at the club, with players apparently not buying into his strict methods and wanting to adopt a pressing style of play.

Asked if his players played for him, Alonso said: "The performance was intense. Professional Champions League level. They gave their all, so I have no complaints about anything."

It's tough to take another defeat, but we gave it our all."

England international Jude Bellingham told TNT Sports that the team was '100%' behind their manager.

"I personally have a great relationship with him, many boys do too," he added. "After a series of really good games, we had some really good talks internally and felt we were on the other side of this form."

In the last few games, we've been beaten again. Nobody's throwing in the towel, nobody's moaning and groaning, thinking the season's over."

However, Alonso now seems to be limping from game to game.

His team is second in La Liga, four points behind Barcelona, and 15-time winners are only level on goal difference in the Champions League top tier.

Two years after lifting the trophy, Real have lost five games in the group stage.

On Alonso's future, Juan Castro, a football journalist for Marca, told BBC Radio 5 Live: "I'm very pessimistic."

"It's true it wasn't a laughable defeat because they were competing, but another defeat at home, another consecutive defeat. It's quite tough for a coach to keep that."

"We'll see what happens, but right now the atmosphere at the Bernabeu is focused on Xabi Alonso. That's the truth. We'll see what happens, but I'm 100% pessimistic."

"I don't think Perez wants such a manager. What Perez doesn't like in any case is defeat. You don't have many options to replace Xabi."

"It's easy to say Xabi's been sacked or he's in danger, but finding the right replacement in December is another matter."