Former Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso has reportedly blamed his players for behaving like they were in a “nursery” during a heated training session, an incident said to have contributed significantly to his eventual dismissal.
According to Spanish outlet MARCA, Alonso “exploded” at his squad in early November, at a time when his relationship with the players was already said to be at breaking point. The report claims the former midfielder had effectively “begun to leave” Madrid mentally around that period, months before his sacking.
The outburst was described as a cry of desperation and exhaustion, as Alonso grew increasingly frustrated that his players were failing to meet his tactical demands. In particular, he struggled to implement the aggressive pressing system that had brought him success during his time at Bayer Leverkusen.
Alonso was officially relieved of his duties on Monday, just seven months after taking charge, and less than 24 hours after Real Madrid’s 3–2 defeat to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
The 44-year-old had been under mounting pressure amid reports of a rift with sections of the dressing room, as well as an apparent lack of alignment with the club’s board over tactical direction.
MARCA also reported that speculation around Álvaro Arbeloa as Alonso’s successor had begun circulating in the dressing room long before the decision was made. Arbeloa, who had been managing Real Madrid’s B team, was a regular presence in senior team training sessions before his appointment.
Alonso’s short-lived tenure ultimately came to an end as internal tensions and on-field frustrations combined to undermine his authority at the club.
