Zidane Exposes the Hidden Formula Behind Real Madrid's Success That Eluded Xabi Alonso

Zinedine Zidane described the meticulous care and focus he dedicated to Real Madrid's squad during his successful managerial period in the Spanish capital, detailing how he earned the trust of the ego-heavy locker room that never fully embraced Xabi Alonso's approach.

Real Madrid have appointed 19 coaches in the 21st century, yet only three have survived beyond 75 games. Zidane stands among the exceptional few, along with José Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti, who discovered methods to regularly extract top performances from the brilliant collection of superstars at the Bernabéu.

Where Mourinho employed strict discipline, both Ancelotti and Zidane connected with the personal side of these celebrated millionaires. As the charming Italian previously stated: "We are coaching human beings, not just players."

Zidane emphasized this philosophy during a recent conversation with his coaching aide Hamidou Msaidie on the assistant's YouTube platform. "At Real Madrid, we served the players' needs," the former Ballon d'Or recipient disclosed.

"In my view, that's what creates team strength; you exist for the player. If you haven't grasped this concept, you cannot survive in this field. We're present to assist them; you must demonstrate your commitment to their success."

Alonso's unsuccessful seven-month reign was filled with rumors about his inability to persuade the locker room of his methods. Multiple star players allegedly remained "skeptical" of the former Bayer Leverkusen manager, who was purportedly characterized as "cold and inaccessible."

Shouting, "I didn't realize I was here to manage a daycare!" during one practice session probably wasn't the optimal approach for Alonso to achieve Zidane's goal of widespread respect.

"For the squad to embrace what you wish to establish, they must respect you," the former World Cup champion stated. "If the players don't support everything they receive—the sessions, all aspects—something will always be lacking. With our approach, I believe they found great satisfaction on every front."

Zidane's Record As Real Madrid Manager

Zidane's Record As Real Madrid Manager

Zidane initially assumed control of Real Madrid during the 2015–16 season after Rafael Benítez encountered the same obstacles as Alonso. He secured that campaign's Champions League trophy, the initial victory in an extraordinary three consecutive European titles, before returning for a second tenure in 2019 that delivered another league championship. Beyond tactical considerations, the legendary player's primary focus centered on the squad's psychological state.

"We built tremendous confidence within the players," he remembered. "They had endured difficult times and required restored confidence, physical condition, everything. We established a structure allowing them to recover completely. When a player is competitive, eager to train and compete, he's destined to capture three Champions League titles.

"We enjoyed ourselves immensely. I attempted to show them that everyone mattered. If they didn't practice properly, they couldn't participate. If you determine on Monday who will start Saturday, that's problematic. Players who don't compete won't train effectively."

Underrated Quality to Zidane's Real Madrid

Underrated Quality to Zidane's Real Madrid

While managing his players' egos proved crucial, Zidane also wanted to highlight the importance he placed on physical preparation. The Frenchman brought in the notorious fitness expert Antonio Pintus during his initial stint after experiencing his demanding training methods as a Juventus player.

The controversial Italian notably had his responsibilities modified by Alonso during the summer, moving to a less direct position as performance coordinator. One day following the coach's exit, Pintus returned to his former role as conditioning specialist.

Zidane was determined to emphasize how he transformed Madrid's fitness standards midway through his first season. "We reached a crucial moment. The squad lacked proper physical shape, and we simply had to convince them of the necessity for collective effort," he noted.

"We could focus during the week since we only faced La Liga fixtures. I gathered the four captains and explained my expectations, observing their dedication level. When they committed to the work, everything changed; happiness returned. We rediscovered their drive. Effort and enjoyment. We made them sprint. The physical preparation was essential."

Despite his efforts, Alonso never successfully motivated Madrid's stars to push themselves physically.