RAir Madrid are going through one of the most delicate periods of the past decade. In just eight months, the club has entered into an alarming drift that is reflected both on the pitch and in the office. Xabi Alonso’s project was born with great expectations, but now in the hands of Alvaro Arbeloa, it is in complete disarray.
A sense of mismanagement, loss of authority over athletes, and a succession of poor decisions are creating a domino effect that ultimately affects performance in the sport. What appeared to be an orderly transition after Ancelotti’s departure turned into a chaotic process, with some episodes tarnishing the image of the club and the player.
Xabi Alonso caught off guard, mentions Real Madrid firing while out with partner
Carlo Ancelotti’s surreal departure
Real Madrid’s first big mistake was in responding to Carlo Ancelotti’s departure. The announcement of his contract with the Brazilian national team was unprecedented, as it was announced before the club officially announced his departure.
One of the reasons for Ancelotti’s departure was that he lost control of the dressing room. His message was no longer getting through to the team, who were clearly starting to show signs of complacency. That was the first serious warning that something was wrong within the team.
Luka Modric’s departure
Another mistake that has been talked about a lot lately, and which started appearing at the beginning of the season, was the decision not to renew Luka Modric’s contract. The Croatian wanted to stay at Real Madrid for another year and showed on the pitch that he is still active and different. However, the club insisted it was time to bet on a young player and showed him the door. Today, Madrid fans miss his talent, leadership and ability to deal with delicate matches and moments. Modric showed at Milan that he is still one of the best midfielders in the world and exposed his poor decisions.
Rejection of contract with midfielder
With Kroos leaving and the door open for Luka Modric to leave, Xabi Alonso has called for a midfielder. His main target was Martin Zvimendi, who was already close to joining Arsenal. Still, there were other options on the market that could be considered. Real Madrid decided that what they had was enough. Xavi wanted a brain in midfield, a player who could organize the game and provide balance, but he was not called up. The result was a midfield without control or hierarchy.
Club World Cup, first clash with Xabi Alonso
Another problem was that the club forced Xabi Alonso to participate in the Club World Cup against his will. “Take it now or there will be no signature,” they told him. It wasn’t the best start for a project that was supposed to be exciting. Despite everything, the coach showed clear ideas and an interesting tactical approach in the first few games, leaving a good impression. However, relations with the hierarchy were already strained.
The Vinicius affair: the most serious mistake
Perhaps the biggest mistake Real Madrid have made in recent months has been their handling of the Vinicius situation. Last season, the Brazilian was not allowed to attend the Ballon d’Or gala, revealing that he had too much power within the club.
This season, the battle between Vinicius and Xabi Alonso ultimately led to the manager leaving the club. The turning point came during El Clasico, when the Brazilian showed contempt for his manager. The club has made it clear that it is not taking sides and is on the side of the players. That was the day that Xabi Alonso’s project definitely started to fail.
Lack of support for coaches
Xabi Alonso never felt supported. The players mostly ignored him. They did not listen to his tactical instructions or commit to his game ideas. The coach took over with the club’s support to change dynamics, introduce a tactical order and build a more structured squad. But when cornered, Florentino Perez once again stood by his players. The outcome was inevitable. The coach’s departure was announced on Monday.
excessive external noise
Real Madrid’s last big mistake is all the external noise surrounding the club. An open war with UEFA, constant clashes with referees, attempts to change the structure of the club and other off-field issues create an atmosphere that distracts from what really matters. If there are too many exhibition games, the club will not be able to focus 100% on the sport.
