Xabi Alonso’s Unceremonious Exit: A Missed Opportunity for Real Madrid

Xabi Alonso has become the tenth permanent Real Madrid manager dismissed under Florentino Pérez’s 21-year presidency, leaving before completing a year in charge.

Despite appearing to stabilize after a tumultuous autumn, Alonso’s fate was sealed by the unforgivable sin of losing to Barcelona in a trophy match, a cardinal offense for any manager at the Bernabéu.

Alonso departs with Madrid just four points adrift in LaLiga, comfortably positioned in the UEFA Champions League top eight, and facing a tense Copa del Rey tie against Albacete on Wednesday. Those close to him will likely reflect on the missed opportunities in the Supercopa final, where Álvaro Carreras and Raúl Asencio had golden chances to equalize.

In retrospect, Perez, the ultimate judge of a coach’s fate, has identified several missteps on Alonso’s part. First, Alonso’s reputation suffered significantly when Vinícius Júnior displayed open disrespect following a substitution during last October’s Clásico. The incident not only made headlines but also eroded Pérez’s trust in Alonso, despite the manager’s efforts to mend the relationship.

Second, losing to Barcelona in a crucial final seems to be a cardinal sin, as noted in a previous commentary predicting Alonso’s precarious position if he returned without silverware.

Third, when Madrid struggled against teams like Rayo Vallecano, Elche, and Girona, the club and media swiftly sought to attribute blame to the coach rather than the president or players, landing Alonso in the crosshairs of criticism.

Furthermore, Alonso’s failure to adeptly navigate upward dynamics in a high-stakes environment like Madrid ultimately hindered his position. Throughout his illustrious career, characterized by accolades and respect, he never needed to appease anyone. However, Madrid’s environment necessitates a different approach.

In a revealing moment, Alonso’s suggestion for his players to form a guard of honor for Barcelona post-defeat was overridden by Kylian Mbappé, indicating a lack of authority that proved detrimental.

Interestingly, the media, which had signaled Alonso’s potential dismissal for months, seemed caught off-guard by the actual event, particularly given recent victories against Sevilla and Atlético, where the players were visibly supportive of their manager.

The shift in terminology surrounding the stadium’s name—from the Santiago Bernabéu to simply ‘the Bernabéu’—reflects Pérez’s ambition to secure his legacy as the club’s greatest president. At 78, he is keen on achieving more league titles and Champions League trophies while minimizing Barcelona’s success.

Historically, Pérez’s early dismissals of coaches have often led to more prosperous periods for the club, suggesting a pattern of decisions aimed at future success. However, this time, it appears he has misidentified the root causes of Madrid’s current challenges.

In conclusion, Alonso’s departure is a product of various factors, including historical expectations and an inability to adapt to Madrid’s unique environment. As he moves on from this chapter, the road ahead remains uncertain.