Last week, Xabi Alonso concluded his challenging seven-month tenure as head coach of Real Madrid. Following the team’s defeat in the Spanish Supercup to Barcelona, he mutually agreed to part ways with the club, effective immediately, and Alvaro Arbeloa was appointed as his successor.
When Alonso joined from Bayer Leverkusen last summer, expectations were high, but the results fell short. The 44-year-old pointed to player power as a key factor that hindered his effectiveness as manager, especially given that several key players reportedly voiced dissatisfaction with his methods.
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Former Real Madrid player Gareth Bale believes Alonso focused excessively on tactics and neglected personnel management during his time at the Bernabeu, as reported by TNT Sports (via Marca).
“He’s an incredible coach. He has had success at Bayer Leverkusen, winning trophies and managing the team exceptionally. However, at Real Madrid, it’s about more than just being a coach; you need to be a manager who can handle egos in the locker room,” Bale stated.
“You need to cater to those egos rather than focusing solely on tactics. In the dressing room are superstars who can change a game in an instant. So yes, while he is a fantastic tactician, it just didn’t translate at Real Madrid.”
Image via Carl Recine/Getty Images
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Lessons Learned from the Real Madrid Experience
No doubt, managing Real Madrid is among the most challenging roles in football, often requiring more focus on player management than on tactical decisions. Alonso will undoubtedly take valuable lessons from this experience, paving the way for a potential future return to the Bernabeu.