… and Xabi Alonso joins the list! In just 12 days, three clubs ranked first, fourth, and tenth in global revenue made the bold decision to part ways with their head coaches, each having held the role for 18 months or less. These coaches were initially viewed as promising up-and-comers, making the shake-up all the more significant.
While it may or may not be a first for these clubs—Enzo Maresca at Chelsea, Ruben Amorim at Manchester United, and Xabi Alonso at Real Madrid—each situation bears unique circumstances, but they share undeniable commonalities.
All three coaches are former midfield playmakers in their 40s with diverse experiences beyond their home countries, granting them a sophisticated, global perspective. Yet while performance and expectations certainly contributed to their dismissal, the underlying issue was much deeper.
The true takeaway here revolves around a culture clash. For better or worse, these clubs felt that their identities or brands did not align with those of their coaches—essentially questioning whether they were on the same page when it came to their core vision. This disconnect is increasingly significant at the highest levels of the sport.
– Olley: What led Enzo Maresca to resign from Chelsea?
– Dawson: The reasoning behind Manchester United’s firing of Ruben Amorim
– Kirkland, Rodra, Faez: The factors behind Xabi Alonso’s departure from Real Madrid
The old adage that results ensure job security has become obsolete. One can debate whether the trio fully capitalized on their clubs’ resources, but it’s quite clear that performance alone did not warrant their exits.
Maresca managed to uplift Chelsea from sixth to fourth in his inaugural season, secured the UEFA Europa Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup titles, and had the team positioned fifth in the Premier League at the time of his dismissal. Amorim took charge of a struggling Manchester United, which was 13th when he started, briefly dropped to 15th before climbing back to sixth while reaching the Europa League final. Alonso led Real Madrid, finishing second the previous season, to the Club World Cup semifinals in July, departing after seven months with them still in second place in La Liga.
Those records might not reflect stellar performance—perhaps not even a solid B—but they certainly seem adequate for retaining their positions, especially considering the complications and costs associated with sacking a coach mid-season. Clubs face not only contract buyouts but also the challenge of hiring a new manager at a time when many top candidates are already committed elsewhere, often leading to hefty compensation fees and weeks of distractions.
Clearly, things have changed. Yes, the process remains messy and costly, which is likely why clubs opted for quick, low-risk alternatives.
1:52
How Carrick’s ‘hands-on coaching’ could succeed at Man United
Craig Burley discusses Michael Carrick’s upcoming games managing Manchester United and the reasoning behind his appointment.
Manchester United has decided to bring back club icon Michael Carrick, who has just three top-flight games of managerial experience. Real Madrid has elevated Alvaro Arbeloa from the B-team, despite his mere six months (and 19 league games) of coaching adults. Meanwhile, Chelsea moved in a similar direction, appointing Liam Rosenior, who recently managed Strasbourg. Although he narrowly missed out on a Champions League spot on the last day of the Ligue 1 season, it’s important to note that Strasbourg is under the same ownership group as Chelsea (BlueCo) and acts as their B-team.
While we shouldn’t diminish the significance of these appointments, it’s clear they are at best interim solutions or low-risk gambles. If they exceed expectations, they may secure their positions; if not, they will likely be thanked for their service.
So, why implement these changes? In each instance, one suspects that the clubs felt a personal disconnect with their respective coaches.
Maresca expressed feelings of “not being supported” at Chelsea, and following his exit, information surfaced—likely sourced from the club—highlighting a strained relationship with the owners, the club’s five directors of football (yes, five), and the medical team. Chelsea’s approach (for better or worse) is focused on acquiring and developing young talent, and when it came time to monetize that talent, Maresca struggled to balance performance and maintain morale.
When Amorim was appointed as Manchester United’s head coach a year ago, his tactical shift signaled a major change for the club—evidenced by the extensive discussions surrounding his 3-4-2-1 system. However, the pressures associated with the role, compounded by a group of former United players scrutinizing every decision, may have taken their toll. His public comments, seemingly criticizing the club and making implausible claims—such as “I came here to be the manager, not the coach,” despite his official title—made his position unsustainable. Questioning the club’s entire structure without any silverware or clear signs of progress only hastened his inevitable departure.
An outcome without doubt; Amorim likely wouldn’t have returned next season, as his actions merely expedited the process and revealed the undeniable truth: despite the clichés surrounding the “United Way,” his teams didn’t embody the essence of Manchester United. Therefore, you hear the Old Trafford community discussing the club’s DNA: it’s hard to define, yet you recognize it when you sense it.
As for Xabi Alonso, his fundamental misstep was being appointed a “system” coach in a club that has thrived only with “man-managers” like Zinedine Zidane, Carlo Ancelotti, or Jose Mourinho over the past 15 years. These managers, though tactically astute, understood that a club brimming with superstars requires a unique approach—a “Galactico whisperer” of sorts. With such a collection of elite athletes, any complex system they implement likely pales in comparison to the magic these players can create on their own.
1:21
How Enzo Maresca’s position at Chelsea became ‘untenable’
James Olley explains what led to Enzo Maresca’s exit from Chelsea.
Alonso, a key figure during the peak Galactico era, was aware of this reality. Nonetheless, he attempted to apply the successful system he had implemented at Bayer Leverkusen while making minimal adjustments. Critics pointed out that his team ultimately “lacked identity.”
Would opinions have shifted had Real Madrid secured victory against Barcelona in the Spanish Supercopa final? That remains an unanswered question. Carlo Ancelotti once remarked that Real Madrid is the team “where you can be 4-0 up and still face boos if the performance isn’t to their liking.” Unquestionably, the sense of dissatisfaction, complaints, and the feeling that the club had lost its way were palpable.
Alignment matters. The vibe is crucial. The master plan is significant. All these elements hold weight for elite clubs, which ultimately sell a product. It’s no longer sufficient for a manager to only achieve on-field objectives; he must also align with the club’s philosophy and make both owners and fans feel confident about the direction in which he is leading their team.
For better or worse, they sensed the presence of negativity and pessimism surrounding their clubs—and they took action. That’s the reality of sports entertainment in 2026.