Real Madrid’s recent move to part ways with Xabi Alonso has been making waves throughout Europe, and as more details come to light, it’s clear this decision was not made in haste.
The split appears to stem from a long-term project that lacked a crucial component Alonso had consistently requested.
Recent insights from AS reveal that the former coach felt unsupported by the club’s management despite clearly communicating his priorities from the beginning.
Early Promise
Upon his arrival at the Santiago Bernabeu, Alonso was welcomed by a club that initially placed full confidence in him.
The board supported his efforts to instill the successful tactics he had implemented in the Bundesliga.
Real Madrid was viewed as a team in need of renewal and tactical growth.
To that end, they backed him with signings such as Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dean Huijsen, Alvaro Carreras, and Franco Mastantuono, indicating a commitment to a long-term vision rather than quick fixes.
The Missing Anchor
However, Alonso recognized a significant issue that transcended individual player profiles. He emphasized the need for a midfield organizer—someone capable of controlling the tempo and serving as a stabilizing force in possession.
Xabi Alonso sought to bring Martin Zubimendi to Real Madrid. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Alonso specifically identified Zubimendi as the ideal candidate for this role, believing he would fit perfectly within his system.
The Spanish international was valued between €60 million and €70 million, a sum that was deemed reasonable by Real Madrid standards.
However, the main hurdle was timing, as Arsenal had already made significant progress in negotiations for the player.
Ultimately, Real Madrid chose not to support Alonso, and by the time they considered a move, the opportunity had nearly slipped away.
Following this, Alonso conveyed his disappointment to his coaching staff.
While he recognized the talents of Aurelien Tchouameni, Eduardo Camavinga, Federico Valverde, and Jude Bellingham, he felt the team lacked the necessary physical and positional balance to ground their play.
Alonso tried various configurations, but none were able to achieve the equilibrium he desired.
As time went on, his initial concepts began to wane, and even his faith in a high-pressing style diminished as the system struggled to perform without the appropriate midfield profile.