The Perils of Coaching: Xabi Alonso’s Experience

Xabi Alonso has been in the spotlight for several weeks now, a situation that is not unfamiliar to him. Vicente del Bosque notes that coaches at Real Madrid often arrive with high expectations but can quickly find themselves in distressing circumstances.

This reality is something Alonso is well acquainted with, having witnessed the challenges faced by others during his playing career. He observed Pellegrini’s struggles, Mourinho’s rise and subsequent fall, and Ancelotti’s eventual success. It is understandable that when approached for a coaching role, Alonso might feel that conditions have shifted and that the promised confidence is somewhat precarious.