Xabi Alonso Realizes Only Two People Can Handle Real Madrid's Impossible Challenge
It's clear why Real Madrid's coach, Xabi Alonso, faces intense scrutiny.
Madrid have claimed European glory 15 times, stand as the world's premier club, feature a spectacular renovated stadium and showcase talents like Kylian Mbappé, Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior in a roster worth over £1 billion ($1.3 billion).
Small wonder their supporters grow agitated when Madrid abandon their tactical composure and emotional control, see two players dismissed with red cards, suffer a 2–0 home defeat to mid-table Celta Vigo and fall further behind Barcelona, their fierce adversaries, in the La Liga title chase.
The loss sparked boos from supporters and an urgent gathering of the club's decision-makers. Tolerance isn't a concept that thrives at the Bernabéu. Real Madrid represents both a magnificent football institution and an even grander drama, resembling "Home and Olé." Their supporters face criticism for acting entitled, and there's certainly pride among many Madridistas. They'd argue they have plenty to be proud of. Consider the silverware in their trophy room.
Hear the bold declarations on Calle de Marceliano Santa Maria which fills with Real supporters before matches at the Bernabéu 50 yards distant. The street becomes packed, blocked to vehicles and challenging for pedestrians. It's a mass of thousands, some holding Mahou beers, others brandishing flares.
Supporters wave European Cup replicas, swirling the smoke from pyrotechnics. Ninety minutes before kickoff, they move to the street's end, turn right and join the crowds already assembling at the Bernabéu roundabout.
Premium buses carrying the team sweep past, escorted by motorcycles, sirens blazing and mounted police controlling the fans. Gareth Bale, the swift Welshman who once adorned Real's flank, would sit beside the window on the coach, observing the spectacle, absorbing the energy radiating from supporters. When you're among the Real faithful you feel the strength of their backing, the fervor and the endless hunger for victory. Alonso's responsibility is to satisfy that expectation.
Time Runs Short at the Bernabéu
He started the campaign with assurance, earning Manager of the Month honors for August in La Liga, but the 44-year-old now battles for his position.
Madrid have traditionally maintained elevated expectations. When the squad fails to meet standards first established by Alfredo Di Stéfano, Francisco Gento and Ferenc Puskás in the 1950s, supporters express their dissatisfaction. They display their white handkerchiefs and, frequently, the manager doesn't survive long afterward.
Time moves quickly at the Bernabéu. Alonso merits patience but coaches seldom receive that at Madrid. He excelled in Germany, guiding Bayer Leverkusen to the Bundesliga championship and developing talents like Florian Wirtz into £116 million assets, yet he's already facing dismissal at Madrid.
It demonstrates the harsh reality that Alonso remains a cherished former player. He appeared for Madrid 192 times. He captured the 2014 Champions League, though missed the final against Atlético Madrid due to suspension. None of this club connection grants him additional time as manager. It's succeed or leave.
Madrid have employed 19 head coaches in the 21st century, including double tenures from Zinedine Zidane and Carlo Ancelotti. These two towering personalities create shadows that Alonso finds difficult to emerge from. In their latest periods in charge, Zidane managed 114 matches and Ancelotti 234. That suggests tolerance. Between Zidane's two periods, Julen Lopetegui survived 14 matches and Santiago Solari 32. Blink and they vanished. It's an incredibly demanding position.
Alonso understands the requirements and possible outcome regardless of what occurs in tonight's difficult encounter with Pep Guardiola's Manchester City at the Bernabéu. Guardiola's strong connection with Barcelona will further agitate Madrid's volatile emotions.
The City match will mark only Alonso's 28th game leading Madrid, which reasonable observers would consider insufficient time to evaluate him. But the charismatic Spaniard, a beloved player during his Bernabéu playing days, finds himself under attack. The supporters are shifting, the press is shifting and Madrid commentators and reporters can be ruthless when they detect weakness. Alonso faces a barrage of inquiries ranging from speculation about his replacement to allegations that he's lost the locker room.
Has Real Madrid Become an Impossible Position?
There appears no recognition that the roster lacks balance, that Alonso might not have selected all recent acquisitions and that his choices are further limited by injuries. Defense alone is missing Dean Huijsen, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dani Carvajal and Éder Militão. There's minimal compassion. Supporters accustomed to superior standards demand improvement.
Every aspect of Alonso faces examination, particularly the interpersonal abilities needed to manage and motivate such an ego-heavy locker room.
Ancelotti accomplished this through his calm leadership, a subtle glance here, a straightforward directive there. Ancelotti's respected standing as coach and player ensured players listened to him. Having an exceptional coach with modest character and great humor, players better grasped the idea of sacrificing for the team. Ancelotti masters persuasion as much as coaching.
Zidane's reputation significantly aided his successful management of the Madrid locker room. In the company of excellence, players submitted and elevated their performance. Zidane and Ancelotti made players feel valued, their pride nurtured. Those players requesting "trophies on display" from such coaches would require an extensive display case. Ancelotti has claimed the Champions League twice as a player and five times as a manager. Zinedine captured it once as a player and three times as a manager.
Alonso Shows Determination
It's unfortunate that Alonso seemingly isn't receiving greater opportunity. His career demonstrates he's a competitor, a leader, who can succeed given time and backing. Alonso embraces accountability. He became Real Sociedad captain at 20 under John Toshack. He accepted responsibility with Steven Gerrard to restore Liverpool's momentum in the second half of the 2005 Champions League final against Ancelotti's AC Milan.
Alonso was so dedicated to his profession that he rehearsed shooting from midfield during Liverpool training should the chance present itself during games; he scored from 70 yards against Newcastle United in 2006. The Spanish international absorbed a vicious kung-fu strike to the ribs from the Netherlands' Nigel de Jong in the 2010 World Cup final—and continued playing.
He's a resilient personality, a capable coach, but in a volatile locker room environment needs to better connect with players. He possesses leadership qualities, drawing from his playing experience. The current Mohamed Salah situation recalls another Liverpool player remaining home instead of facing Inter Milan at San Siro. Alonso missed Liverpool's 2008 journey to face Inter as he stayed with his wife, Nagore, who was delivering their first child, Jontxe.
He's very appealing, very genuine and very pressured. How Alonso would appreciate having locker room authority and recruitment influence that Guardiola possesses at City. How Alonso requires more of his Madrid players to adopt his collective approach.