Real Madrid have sacked manager Xabi Alonso after just seven months in charge, following a player revolt and a series of poor results. The decision was announced on Monday after a meeting at the club's Valdebebas training ground, ending a brief and bitter reign for the former midfielder.
Alonso, who was appointed in May as a 'systems coach' to bring structure after a season of laissez-faire football, struggled to control the egos in the dressing room. His requests for midfielder Martín Zubimendi were rejected, and he was forced to work with the existing squad. The team suffered heavy defeats, including 4-0 against Paris Saint-Germain and 5-0 against Atlético Madrid, and were eliminated from the Spanish Super Cup by Barcelona.
The turning point came in October's league Clásico, when Alonso substituted Vinícius Júnior late in the game. The Brazilian stormed down the tunnel, shouting that he would leave the club. The incident exposed deeper discontent, with Fede Valverde also publicly complaining about playing out of position. Players reportedly resented Alonso's intense training sessions and video analysis.
Alonso is the 11th manager to last less than a year under president Florentino Pérez in two decades. The club's statement described him as a 'legend' as a player but offered no sentiment for his coaching tenure. Seven players, including Vinícius, have remained silent on social media since the sacking.
