Real Madrid Faces Turmoil Following Managerial Changes

Real Madrid has entered a state of turmoil this week following the departure of manager Xabi Alonso. The former midfielder has left his position after less than eight months, with Álvaro Arbeloa taking over the reins.

Alonso’s exit was precipitated by a defeat to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final. The club issued a statement confirming the decision, which read: “Real Madrid CF announces that, by mutual agreement between the club and Xabi Alonso, it has been decided to end his time as first team coach. Xabi Alonso will always have the affection and admiration of all Madrid fans because he is a Real Madrid legend and has always represented the values of our club. Real Madrid will always be his home. Our club thanks Xabi Alonso and his entire technical team for their work and dedication during this time, and wishes them the best of luck in this new stage of their lives.”

Zinedine Zidane, who has had two successful tenures as Real Madrid’s manager, recently shared insights on his experience in a discussion on Hamidou Msaidie’s YouTube channel. He emphasized the importance of being available to players, stating, “At Real Madrid, we were at the players’ disposal. For me, that’s what makes something strong; you’re there for the player. If you haven’t understood that, you can’t last in this profession. We’re there to support them; you have to show that you’re there for them. For the dressing room to buy into what you want to implement, they have to like us.”

Zidane highlighted that fostering a positive environment was crucial, noting that it helped players regain confidence and ultimately led to success, including winning three Champions League titles.

In contrast, Arbeloa’s start as head coach has been rocky. He endured a disappointing exit from the Copa del Rey after his team was defeated 3-2 by Albacete, a significantly lower-ranked opponent. Notably, star players Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham were omitted from the squad, a decision Arbeloa stood by, stating, “At this club a draw is bad, a tragedy, so imagine a defeat like this. I’m responsible, I take the decisions: the team, how we want to play, the substitutions. We’ll try to recover our morale and physically, and improve for the game on Saturday [against Levante]. I was convinced the squad was the right one, and I still think that. We have an extraordinary squad, with great players. It isn’t easy for them to do everything I’ve asked of them after just one day [of preparation]. We have a lot of players to get back to their best physical level. I don’t regret anything. I’d pick the same team again.”

However, the defeat has led to speculation regarding Arbeloa’s long-term future in the position, with former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp emerging as a potential replacement should Arbeloa’s tenure falter.