New details have emerged regarding Xabi Alonso’s departure from Real Madrid, revealing a deep rift between the manager and the club’s hierarchy. Before leaving, Alonso reportedly warned the board that their protection of “player power” made the locker room impossible to manage.
According to journalist Antón Meana on Cadena SER’s El Larguero, Alonso felt “unprotected” and isolated during his seven-month tenure. The Spaniard’s exit, triggered by the Super Cup loss to Barcelona, was not merely about results, but a total collapse of authority at the Valdebebas training ground.
The Conflict: Tactics vs. Egos
The friction between Xabi Alonso and the squad was no secret. Reports indicate a “tense atmosphere” involving several key players, most notably Vinícius Júnior during the recent Clásico. Alonso’s desire for total control—both on and off the pitch—clashed with a dressing room used to the more relaxed management of previous eras.
The Complaint: Players reportedly grew frustrated with Alonso’s rigid methodology and his attempt to “control everything and everyone.”
The Revolt: Journalist Jorge C. Picón reported as early as November that segments of the squad were already lobbying for Alonso’s dismissal.
A ‘Pre-Determined’ Fate in Saudi Arabia
Alonso’s intuition proved correct. Although he hoped to lead the team through the Christmas period and beyond, he reportedly traveled to the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia feeling that the board had already made their decision.
“A coach cannot have control if the club is always on the side of the players,” Alonso allegedly told the directors. This “final warning” serves as a challenge for his successor, Álvaro Arbeloa, who must now navigate the same powerful dressing room that just ousted a club legend.
Xabi Alonso’s Real Madrid Legacy by the Numbers
Despite the internal turmoil, Alonso leaves with a statistically impressive record:
- Games: 34
- Record: 24 Wins, 4 Draws, 6 Losses
- Goals: 72 Scored, 38 Conceded
- Win Rate: 74.5%
While the numbers suggest a successful stint, the lack of “human management” proved to be his undoing at the world’s most demanding club.
