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Alonso leaves Real Madrid. |
The decision was made quickly, cleanly, and coldly, true to the nature of Real Madrid. Xabi Alonso is no longer the head coach. There are no gray areas, no "what ifs."
Just six months after taking office, the man who was expected to usher in a new era had to leave the Bernabeu hot seat. Arbeloa was appointed as his replacement, as an internal solution to bring immediate stability.
The result was poor performance, physical exhaustion, and disruptions in operations.
The reason was clear from the start: the declining results were just the tip of the iceberg. What was causing Real Madrid to lose patience was the feeling that the team was no longer functioning smoothly, even when the players' attitudes weren't questioned. At the Bernabeu, when the spirit is there but the effectiveness is gone, the responsibility almost automatically falls on the coach.
The club's official statement was written in polite and formal language, emphasizing its respect for Xabi Alonso as a legend. But behind that diplomatic facade lay a definitive conclusion: the project was no longer compelling enough to continue.
If you only look at the statistics, Xabi Alonso isn't a complete failure as a coach. 34 matches, 24 wins, 4 draws, 6 losses. For many teams, that's a dream achievement. But Real Madrid doesn't judge everything by static numbers, but by the trajectory of their performance and their sense of control.
Before November 1st, Xabi Alonso's Real Madrid were almost perfect. The team had won 17 out of 20 matches, led La Liga by 5 points, and had won all their Champions League games.
Back then, the style of play was dominant, high-intensity, and full of energy. Xabi Alonso was seen as an icon of a modern future, where Real Madrid controlled possession and pressed aggressively.
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Xabi Alonso failed to live up to expectations at Real Madrid. |
But just over a month later, everything reversed. Since November 1st, Real Madrid had only won 3 out of 9 matches. Disappointing results against Liverpool, Rayo Vallecano, Elche, Girona, Celta Vigo, and Manchester City not only cost them points but also eroded confidence. The team went from being in the lead to chasing the game, and faced the risk of falling out of the top group in the Champions League, something almost unacceptable for Real Madrid.
More importantly, Real Madrid stumbled along the same lines. The intensity of their pressing decreased noticeably. The pace of the game was no longer maintained until the end. The attacking moves lacked cohesion, and at many times the team played disjointedly and lacked vitality. The management not only saw the defeats, but they sensed a team running out of steam both physically and creatively.
Questions about fitness have become a major issue. During a period of intense fixtures, Real Madrid often falter in the second half. When an experienced team continues to strive but cannot maintain the tempo, the message is clear: the system is no longer optimal. For Real Madrid, that is the final limit of patience.
The dressing room, Real Madrid's DNA, and the limits of Xabi Alonso.
Xabi Alonso was not sacked for losing his dressing room in the traditional sense. The players still took to the field with a serious attitude, showing no signs of giving up.
But what Real Madrid felt was a lack of connection strong enough to create long-term stability. The team played well, but didn't give the feeling that they were heading in the right direction.
The defeat against Manchester City was seen as the final straw. Real Madrid had given Xabi Alonso more time, waiting for a strong enough reaction to reverse the trend.
However, that reaction did not materialize. In an environment where titles and a sense of control are paramount, waiting longer means greater risk.
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Real Madrid have been struggling lately. |
This story exposes the true nature of "Real Madrid's DNA." This is a club where nothing is non-negotiable.
Players, coaches, and legends all stand by the same standard. This approach might be seen as impatient, even cruel, for long-term projects. But it is precisely this that has created a Real Madrid that always prioritizes performance over reputation.
In that context, Xabi Alonso faced a difficult question: was he still the same player at Bernabeu?
The high-intensity pressing style seen in the early stages of the season gradually disappeared. Controversial personnel changes became increasingly frequent. Real Madrid not only saw declining results, but they also saw a young coach constantly having to compromise with the harsh realities of the world's hottest job.
The defeat in Madrid did not erase what Xabi Alonso had achieved with Bayer Leverkusen. He created a nearly impossible feat: winning the Bundesliga for the first time in the club's history, winning the German Cup, and maintaining a 54-match unbeaten streak.
But Real Madrid is a different world. Here, a glorious past doesn't guarantee the present, and potential can't replace a sense of control.
Xabi Alonso's 232-day tenure ended with a familiar but harsh lesson: at Real Madrid, results are never enough; the feeling that the team is "running" in the right direction is crucial. Arbeloa was given the reins in that context, with a task that is not new but never easy: to restore stability and control to Real Madrid, the foundation for all the titles they pursue.
Source: https://znews.vn/ly-do-real-madrid-sa-thai-xabi-alonso-post1619184.html
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