Xabi Alonso Faces Backlash from Key Players in His Squad

Coaching Real Madrid means knowing that being at the top of the league is often not enough. Appointed last summer to replace Carlo Ancelotti, Xabi Alonso has been leading confidently. However, beneath his success and the lead over Barcelona (with a 5-point gap), there are signs that not everyone is fully on board with his methods.

The situation with Vinicius is telling, given that relations between the Brazilian and his coach have soured since his substitution during the Clasico. These tensions aren’t just about the 25-year-old forward; Federico Valverde also faced backlash after saying he wasn’t born to play as a right-back, although he later accepted the role in the absence of Carvajal and Alexander-Arnold.

Methods Facing Resistance

According to Sport, tensions are becoming increasingly apparent in the locker room, with Alonso having alienated several senior players. A close associate of one key team member stated recently: “He thinks he’s Pep Guardiola, but right now, he’s just Xabi.” Frequent leaks in the media about him also indicate a disjointed locker room where not everyone stands united behind the coach. His methods, along with his cold demeanor and poor communication, are being criticized despite achieving 17 wins in 21 matches since taking over.

The paper even described Alonso’s future as “uncertain,” emphasizing the risk of him losing the locker room. The victory in the Clasico hasn’t overshadowed the heavy defeat against Atletico (5-2) or the recent loss to a struggling Liverpool (1-0) at Anfield. Josep Pedrerol, the host of El Chiringuito, also expressed doubts about Alonso’s ability to connect with the team: “I’m not sure if Xabi’s message is well understood in the locker room. Why did he bring on Arnold with just ten minutes to go at Anfield? So the whole stadium could boo him? The group discussed this decision yesterday. And Vinicius isn’t the only one; I have doubts about Xabi Alonso’s ability to collaborate effectively with the players.” It seems he’s not alone in this concern.