Xabi Alonso has been dismissed as Real Madrid manager after just seven months in charge, becoming the 11th coach to last less than a year under president Florentino Pérez in two decades. The decision was announced on Monday following a meeting at the club's Valdebebas training ground, shortly after Alonso returned from Saudi Arabia where the team lost the Spanish Super Cup final to Barcelona.
Alonso, who was presented as a 'systems coach' to bring structure after a season of perceived indiscipline, struggled to impose his methods at a club where players and the president traditionally hold significant power. His requests to sign Martín Zubimendi were rejected, and he was forced to work with existing squad options. Despite early promise in pre-season, the team suffered heavy defeats, including a 4-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain and a 5-0 thrashing by Atlético Madrid.
Tensions boiled over during a league clásico in October when Alonso substituted Vinícius Júnior, who stormed down the tunnel and threatened to leave the club. The incident highlighted a growing disconnect between the manager and the squad, with other players like Fede Valverde also publicly complaining about their roles. Seven players, including Vinícius, have remained silent on social media following Alonso's sacking.
Alonso had been warned by Pep Guardiola after a pre-season match that managing Real Madrid was uniquely challenging, advice that proved prescient. The club's statement described Alonso as a 'legend' as a player but offered no sentiment for his coaching tenure. His dismissal comes despite a brief upturn in form, with the Super Cup final loss ultimately sealing his fate.
