Xabi Alonso's Departure from Real Madrid: A Turbulent End
Images circulated rapidly showing Kylian Mbappe urging his teammates to leave the pitch while Xabi Alonso asked him to stay. Ultimately, Mbappe insisted, and Alonso complied, resulting in no guard of honor for Barcelona following their Spanish Super Cup victory on Sunday.
This scene raised eyebrows, as it seemed to reflect a lack of sportsmanship, a quality not typically associated with Alonso. It also hinted at a deeper issue: the players appeared to hold more power than their manager.
After a closely contested final determined by a deflection, one could almost envision Alonso thinking, "Enough is enough." However, this was not a resignation, nor was it anticipated. Alonso did not expect to part ways with Real Madrid just seven months into his tenure.
In an official statement, Real Madrid characterized the separation as a "mutual agreement," yet it was a departure that felt inevitable.
Following months of disagreements over tactics and strategy, the board convened at approximately 4:30 PM local time on Monday to discuss Alonso's exit.
The reasons provided to Alonso and his team were, at best, unclear. They cited that he had struggled to implement the successful playing style he had at Bayer Leverkusen, the team’s physical condition was lacking, players had not progressed, and they did not seem to be playing for him.
Several defeats were noted, including losses to Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup semi-final and Atletico Madrid in La Liga (5-2), among others.
Despite these setbacks, Real Madrid remains in the top eight of the Champions League group stage, a competition that is vital to the club's identity. They have advanced to the next round of the Copa del Rey and are only four points behind Barcelona in La Liga, having previously defeated them in October. Is this a crisis?
More than a crisis, this situation underscores that Florentino Perez never fully believed in his manager. Alonso was suggested and accepted as the new head coach, but without genuine conviction. At Bayer Leverkusen, he initially faced skepticism but eventually gained support as results improved. In Madrid, however, even decent results failed to earn him the same backing. From the start, Alonso felt isolated.
Starting a managerial career at Real Madrid is among the toughest challenges in football. Few decline the opportunity, even those who recognize the difficulty of shifting a culture rooted in individual brilliance to a modern collective approach where everyone contributes defensively.
A manager’s influence is strongest upon arrival, but Madrid undermined Alonso's authority from the outset. He wished to commence his tenure after the Club World Cup, not before, but was not permitted to discuss this.
The signings did little to alleviate concerns; Franco Mastantuono, marketed as the antidote to Lamine Yamal, failed to make a significant impact. Vinicius Junior's struggles marked the beginning of the end, as his performance waned and he blamed the new manager, even protesting his substitution during El Clasico before apologizing to everyone but Alonso.
Contract negotiations were paused pending developments regarding Alonso’s future. Injuries plagued the defense, and the club ignored his request for a midfielder, specifically Martin Zubimendi.
There were no strong personalities to unify the squad, and even Federico Valverde seemed more focused on his individual role than the collective effort.
Mbappe chased records rather than focusing on recovery from his latest injury, aiming to match Cristiano Ronaldo's 59 goals in a calendar year.
Ultimately, Alonso was unable to convince the players that his methods were the right approach. Without their buy-in, he could not instill the high pressing, tempo, and positional play that characterized his Leverkusen teams.
What lies ahead for Alonso?
He must consider whether a period of rest is next for him. Those familiar with him suggest that, although his departure was not desired, it may offer a sense of relief. It simply did not work out.
However, the message from Europe’s elite clubs is clear; many would be eager to have him on board next season, should circumstances permit.
Once again, Real Madrid stands out as a club that operates differently, limiting its manager’s authority while quietly laying the groundwork for a dismissal months in advance, often aided by loyal media outlets.
Next in line to take over is Alvaro Arbeloa, the Castilla coach, a club stalwart. Yet, if a legend like Xabi Alonso could not alter the culture, Arbeloa faces an almost insurmountable challenge.
If this season concludes without trophies, Europe’s elite will reaffirm their beliefs. Conversely, if Real Madrid manages to secure silverware, we will arrive at the same conclusion we always do: some managers fit particular clubs, while some clubs resist being managed altogether.