The brief and turbulent reign of Xabi Alonso at Real Madrid came to a crashing halt this week, with reports emerging that a furious training ground outburst in November, where he accused his players of behaving like they were in a 'nursery', proved to be the beginning of the end.
The Rant That Opened a Wound
According to detailed reports from Spanish newspaper MARCA, the manager 'exploded' at his elite squad in early November. The incident is described as a 'cry of desperation, of weariness, and almost of boredom' as Alonso grew increasingly frustrated at his inability to implement his tactical vision. The core issue was his aggressive pressing system, a hallmark of his successful Bayer Leverkusen side, which the Madrid stars reportedly found 'excessively demanding'.
Players allegedly felt overwhelmed by an 'information overload', becoming 'uncomfortable' as multiple coaches bombarded them with instructions. This pivotal rant is said to have 'opened a wound that would never heal', with the relationship between manager and squad reaching a 'breaking point' two months before his eventual dismissal.
A Dressing Room Drift and Successor Buzz
Compounding Alonso's problems was a reported misalignment with the club's board over tactics and a growing dressing room rift. MARCA claims that a 'buzz' around former player Alvaro Arbeloa, who was managing Madrid's B team and was a frequent presence at senior sessions, began circulating long before he was officially appointed as Alonso's successor on Monday.
Alonso struggled to convince megastars like Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior to fully buy into the collective ethos he demanded. Furthermore, the team lacked the midfield control once provided by legends Toni Kroos and Luka Modric. A symbolic moment of his diminished authority came after the 3-2 Spanish Super Cup final loss to Barcelona in Jeddah. Alonso wanted his team to perform a guard of honour for the victors, but Mbappe refused and the manager ultimately backed down.
Denials and a Swift Departure
Despite the damaging reports, key players have publicly defended the departed coach. Mbappe stated it was a 'pleasure' to work with Alonso. More forcefully, Jude Bellingham rubbished claims of a fallout in a fiery post on his app, calling the reports 'a load of s***' and criticising the 'clowns' spreading 'damaging misinformation for clicks'.
Nevertheless, the club acted decisively, relieving Alonso of his duties just seven months after his appointment and fewer than 24 hours after the Super Cup defeat. His record was not disastrous—Madrid remain in the La Liga title race and sit seventh in the Champions League league phase—but the perceived lack of control and fractured relationships proved fatal.
The 44-year-old's departure marks a rapid and dramatic exit from one of football's most high-pressure jobs, underscoring the immense challenge of managing a dressing room filled with global superstars.
