The Controversial Issue Splitting the Locker Room Stars

Tomorrow at 1:30 PM IST, Real Madrid will face Athletic Bilbao. Their goal is to return to winning ways in La Liga after three consecutive draws against Rayo Vallecano, Elche, and Girona. Reports from El Chiringuito suggest that Xabi Alonso’s position may be in jeopardy; journalist Eduardo Inda mentioned, “If nothing changes in Bilbao, and Real Madrid loses to Athletic next Wednesday at 9 PM, Xabi Alonso may no longer be the coach. Álvaro Arbeloa could be a possible replacement.” Meanwhile, The Athletic spoke with club insiders who acknowledged the team is struggling, stating they are “playing very poorly,” making the upcoming matches crucial for both results and image.

Currently, the trust between Florentino Pérez and Xabi Alonso remains, but it is not everlasting. Reports from across the Pyrenees indicate that club officials were not pleased with the weekend’s 2-2 draw against Girona, with some describing it as a “disaster.” Xabi Alonso is in a tough spot, facing the challenge of uniting a divided squad. Recently, we reported that several players, including Vinicius Jr., Rodrygo, Fede Valverde, and Endrick, are not entirely supportive of the new coach’s methods.

The Group is Divided

Cadena COPE supports this view, indicating that the ‘anti-Xabi’ faction includes the previously mentioned players, along with Brahim Diaz and Ferland Mendy. Jude Bellingham’s name has also emerged in discussions. However, not all players are opposed to Xabi Alonso; some believe the issues lie elsewhere. According to The Athletic, several Madrid players feel the coaching is not to blame, with one stating anonymously, “it’s clearly not a coaching issue.” Another club member echoed this sentiment, saying, “The problem isn’t Xabi. Mbappé, Vinicius Junior, and Bellingham are incompatible; it’s impossible to have a balanced team with all three.”

One player indicated that the coach’s message isn’t reaching them. In a report, El Chiringuito mentioned that upon returning from the Club World Cup, a player expressed concerns about the coach’s experience. This sentiment appears to persist, although it was noted that Xabi Alonso cannot be a poor coach due to his Bundesliga title. He embodies Real Madrid’s DNA better than anyone. The situation surrounding Xabi Alonso has led to considerable tension among the squad, divided between supporters, including Kylian Mbappé, and detractors like Vinicius Jr., who has linked his contract extension to the coach’s future. This environment poses significant challenges for the club as they navigate an already critical December.