Real Madrid have dismissed Xabi Alonso as manager after just seven months, making him the 11th coach to last less than a year under president Florentino Pérez in two decades. The decision came after a meeting at the club's Valdebebas training ground on Monday afternoon, following the team's return from the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia, where they lost 3-0 to Barcelona in the final.
Alonso, appointed in May after a season of 'laissez-faire failure', was brought in as a 'systems coach' to instil discipline and structure. However, he struggled to assert authority over the club's star players, who traditionally wield significant influence at the Bernabéu. His requests for a holding midfielder, notably Martín Zubimendi, were rejected, leaving him to rely on Arda Güler for evolution.
The team showed glimpses of his tactical identity during pre-season in the United States, but heavy defeats to Paris Saint-Germain (4-0) and Atlético Madrid (5-0) exposed the gap between his vision and reality. A 4-0 loss to Celta Vigo at home nearly prompted his sacking earlier. Even the Super Cup semi-final win over Atlético was unconvincing, with Diego Simeone's side deemed superior.
A pivotal moment came in October's Clásico, when Alonso substituted Vinícius Júnior late in the game. The Brazilian stormed down the tunnel, shouting he would leave the team, in a public display of defiance that highlighted the manager's lack of control. Other players, including Fede Valverde, also voiced complaints about tactics and roles.
Alonso's dismissal was described as 'short and unsentimental' in the club statement, which acknowledged his legendary status as a player but cut ties abruptly. Notably, seven players, including Vinícius, have remained silent on social media since the announcement, withholding the usual farewell messages.
