When Pep Guardiola offered Xabi Alonso some parting advice, it was a poignant reminder that managing Real Madrid is a unique challenge. Guardiola, who has experienced the pressures of managing a high-profile club, cautioned Alonso to do things his way, but also acknowledged that this approach often doesn't yield the desired results at the Santiago Bernabéu. As it turned out, Alonso's tenure was short-lived, and he was relieved of his duties just a month after Guardiola's warning.
Alonso's departure marks the 11th time in two decades that a Real Madrid manager has lasted less than a year under the presidency of Florentino Pérez. The writing was on the wall, and Alonso's fate was all but sealed after a string of disappointing performances, including a humiliating defeat to Paris Saint-Germain and a lackluster display against Atlético Madrid in the Super Cup semi-final. The final straw came with a 3-0 loss to Barcelona in the Super Cup final, which prompted the club to act swiftly and terminate Alonso's contract.
The Challenge of Managing EgosAlonso's biggest challenge was not the opposition teams, but rather managing the egos and expectations of his own players. As a systems coach, he attempted to implement a collective approach, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and discipline. However, this approach was at odds with the club's culture, which has historically been driven by individual talent and star power. The arrival of Álvaro Carreras and Dean Huijsen was seen as an attempt to bolster Alonso's coaching staff, but the rejection of his request to sign Martín Zubimendi was a clear indication that the club's hierarchy was not fully behind him.
To become Real Madrid manager, two things have to happen: first, they have to want you, and second, you have to want to... and the latter normally does happen. - Xabi Alonso
Alonso's presentation in May was marked by a sense of caution, and his words seemed to hint at the challenges that lay ahead. He spoke about the need to build a team and get the best out of his players, but it soon became clear that this would be easier said than done. The team's performances were inconsistent, and the players seemed to be struggling to adapt to Alonso's system. The defeat to PSG was a wake-up call, and the subsequent losses to Atlético and Celta Vigo only added to the sense of crisis.
The team's lack of unity and discipline was evident in the league clásico against Barcelona, where Vinícius Júnior's tantrum after being substituted sparked a heated debate about Alonso's tactics. The incident was a symptom of a deeper problem, with several players expressing their discontent with the coaching staff. Fede Valverde's public complaints about playing at full-back only added to the sense of unrest, and it became clear that Alonso was struggling to manage the dressing room.
In the end, it was not just the results that sealed Alonso's fate, but the sense of chaos and disorder that had descended upon the club. The players seemed to be at war with each other, and the coaching staff was struggling to assert its authority. As the club's hierarchy deliberated on Alonso's future, it became clear that a change was necessary to restore order and stability to the dressing room.
Alonso's departure will be seen as a failure, but it also presents an opportunity for the club to reassess its priorities and values. The search for a new manager will be intense, and the club will need to find someone who can balance the demands of the players with the need for discipline and cohesion. As for Alonso, his brief and bitter reign will serve as a reminder of the challenges of managing a high-profile club like Real Madrid, where the stakes are high and the expectations are even higher.
Original: The Guardian
Image: The Guardian
Written by Npsports
