Dressing Room Disconnect: Alonso’s Relationship with Core Players Strained
Criticism of Xabi Alonso’s coaching methods evokes echoes of the atmospheres during Rafael Benítez or Julen Lopetegui’s tenures.
After the loss at Anfield and the draw at Vallecas, a stark truth emerged: there is insufficient connection between the players and the head coach, stemming from his personal relationships with key squad members such as Jude Bellingham, Vinícius Júnior, and Federico Valverde.
Alonso’s Controlling Style vs. Ancelotti’s Lenient Approach
The situation at Valdebebas now closely resembles Lopetegui and Benítez’s reigns—both coaches failed to gain dressing room backing and ultimately departed Real Madrid prematurely. Beyond differences, Alonso belongs to the more controlling breed of coaches, wanting everything under his command and every player’s on-field movement analyzed.
As a result, tactical content in Real Madrid’s training sessions has increased significantly recently, with longer video sessions and in-depth analysis— a sharp contrast to Carlo Ancelotti, his predecessor known for an "entirely opposite style." This transition has proven difficult for the current squad, which has repeatedly shown a preference for coaches with more lenient instructions during Florentino Pérez’s presidency, a period when the club has been built as a galaxy of superstars.
Historical Precedent: Real Madrid Stars Favor Lenient Coaches
José Mourinho stands as the only notable exception who endured with a tough approach. Others like Vanderlei Luxemburgo, Fabio Capello, and José Antonio Camacho came and went "like shooting stars." In contrast, coaches skilled at maintaining good dressing room relations with a gentle touch—such as Vicente del Bosque, Zinedine Zidane, and Ancelotti—thrived.
Pérez’s Trust in Alonso & the Conte Controversy
On the other hand, Real Madrid’s president remains fully trusting of Alonso. In fact, Florentino has always advocated a "tough approach" in the dressing room and has never hidden his preference for strong-willed managers like Antonio Conte. When Conte was a candidate to replace Lopetegui, Sergio Ramos even publicly opposed it: "Respect is earned, not imposed"—the former Real Madrid captain’s exact words.
Results Decide Fate: International Break May Ease Tensions
Ultimately, results still determine a manager’s fate in modern football. If Real Madrid perform well and win trophies, it will be hard for Alonso to be sacked unless he resigns voluntarily.
The Basque coach’s contract with the club runs until 2028, and despite the current delicate situation, a turnaround could happen at any time. In fact, the upcoming international break may prove beneficial for Real Madrid—players returning to their respective national teams could help the squad regroup with a calmer, more united mindset for the final stretch of 2025.
