This summer, Xabi Alonso took on the role of Real Madrid coach. A giant leap for the former midfielder, who intelligently constructed his career. After managing the U14 team at Casa Blanca, he took the reins of the Real Sociedad reserves before settling down in Germany to settle on the bench at Bayer Leverkusen. A club that he led to the Bundesliga title in 2024. Seduced by the best European clubs, notably Liverpool who saw in him the possible successor to Jürgen Klopp, he stayed one more year on the other side of the Rhine before flying to Madrid during the summer of 2025. While he was to take control of the team after the Club World Cup, the native of Tolosa finally started more earlier than expected.
Xabi Alonso imposed his style
He was able to lay the foundations of his team, which he discovered during the tournament organized in the United States. Very quickly, he wanted to impose his style and his rules on the Madrid group. Unlike Carlo Ancelotti, he decided to bring more competition between players, including with the stars. However, we can put aside Kylian Mbappé, who is the player he relies on no matter what. In addition, Xabi Alonso also insisted on defensive work, especially with regard to pressing. Everyone has to get involved, including the offensive players. A small revolution. After reaching the semi-finals of the Club World Cup and enjoying a few days off, everyone gathered in Valdebebas to launch the new season.
At the same time, we also had to manage the transfer window. A transfer window where Xabi Alonso had his say on certain issues. For example, he closed the door to an extension of Luka Modric. He also did not retain Rodrygo, to whom he made it clear in the United States that he would not be a starter and that he intended to bet in particular on Franco Mastantuono. A tough blow for the Brazilian, who was an important player for Ancelotti. His downgrade was talked about, but he ultimately remained with the desire to fight to find a place on the left side. That of Vinicius Jr. Another player who has a lot of trouble with Xabi Alonso's methods. A strong starter with the Mister, Vini Jr no longer has any preferential treatment.
Methods that get people talking
He is often lined up in the eleven, but his new coach does not hesitate to bring him out. He has finished only 3 of the 10 games he has started this season. The Brazilian was also a substitute on 3 occasions. A management that he cannot support. He also became extremely angry when he realized that he was going to come out during the Clasico on Sunday afternoon. The straw that broke the camel's back for Vinicius Jr, who complained of always being replaced and who threatened to leave. Asked about this, Xabi Alonso assured that things would be resolved behind the scenes. But this incident is still causing a lot of talk this Tuesday, especially since several Iberian media assure that the 25-year-old player will leave if his situation does not improve.
The Athletic notably explained that he believes that Xabi Alonso does not appreciate him. A hot potato which is therefore in the hands of Real Madrid, which maintains its total confidence in its coach. A 43-year-old technician who has scored points since the start of the season. His team is first in the La Liga standings, despite a hiccup against Atlético de Madrid. The victory against Barça allowed him to redeem himself according to Marca which evokes “Xabi Alonso’s masterpiece to destroy Barça” And “his impeccable plan” Sunday. But the former Bayer Leverkusen coach is not completely unanimous. On Radio Marcathe journalist Roberto Gomes believes, for example, that he made a mistake in releasing Vini Jr.
Vinicius Junior, the big problem
“Vinicius is on the market, unless there is a quick and urgent operation from Real Madrid to renew him. The first mistake is made by the Real Madrid coach and it is tactically serious. There is huge concern because Vinicius is going to win the battle. The president of Real Madrid must choose between Alonso and Vinicius. Vinicius, there is only one in the world. There are a lot of coaches.” In Brazil, Globo Esporte also sides with the player. “Behind the scenes, we already felt that Vinícius was running out of steam due to the frequent replacements of the coach. We have the feeling that the decision to replace him goes beyond the analysis of performance. Despite 29 minutes less than his teammates having finished the match, Vini was the player who made the most high-intensity sprints against Barcelona.
The media continues: “this season he has contributed to nine goals (five goals and four assists), in addition to his key role in statistics such as the decisive goals against Barça and Juventus in the last matches, the red cards in the match against Getafe and the penalty conceded in the Champions League victory against Marseille. The sum of these factors makes it possible to question the drastic reduction in Vinícius' playing time between last season under Ancelotti and the start of the Xabi Alonso era. In 2024/2025, the Brazilian was the seventh most used player, with 89% of possible playing time, alongside Mbappé and behind Courtois, Valverde, Bellingham, Tchouaméni and Rüdiger. At the start of the season, this percentage fell to 75%, behind less decisive players like Arda Güler, who had 76%.
Several players are unhappy with the new staff
Formerly of Casa Blanca, Toni Kroos also understood the Brazilian's reaction. “When you achieve an exceptional performance, especially a match like this, you are not happy. I never liked being replaced either. But to be honest, I never went straight to the locker room afterwards.” Xabi Alonso's choices are not fully understood. Besides, it's not just Vini Jr who is not satisfied. Globo Esporte reveals that the Madrid management, including Florentino Pérez, is aware that a large part of the workforce is unhappy with the management of Xabi Alonso and his staff, who put a great distance with the players. “Antonio Rüdiger notably vehemently expressed to one of the deputies the team's dissatisfaction with the way in which relations with the group were managed”according to GE.
Besides the German, Rodrygo also did not understand his downgrade, he who did not appreciate being replaced against Oviedo at the end of August. Fede Valverde complained that he was not born to play on the wing. Xabi Alonso left him on the bench the following match against Kairat Almaty. Endrick, too, is struggling. The injured Brazilian saw Gonzalo Garcia pass in front of him. The Spanish coach insisted on keeping Gonzalo Garcia, who was due to leave on loan but who took advantage of the Club World Cup to score points. Once back, Endrick still hasn't played a single minute this season. He is one of the players unhappy since the arrival of Xabi Alonso, who imposes his style and his rules. Others, like Arda Güler, are happy because they have gained since Ancelotti's departure. Xabi Alonso redistributed the cards in Madrid.
