Xabi Alonso's turbulent seven-month reign as Real Madrid manager was reportedly sparked by a furious training ground outburst in which he accused his star-studded squad of behaving like they were in a 'nursery'.
The Explosive Rant That Opened a Wound
According to detailed reports from Spanish newspaper MARCA, the incident occurred in early November, with Alonso said to have 'exploded' at his players. The manager's relationship with the dressing room was already at a 'breaking point' just two months into the season, long before his dismissal on Monday.
The outburst was described as a 'cry of desperation, of weariness, and almost of boredom' as Alonso grew increasingly annoyed that his tactical instructions were not being followed. He was particularly frustrated by his inability to implement the aggressive, high-pressing system that had brought him such success at Bayer Leverkusen.
Tactical Demands and Dressing Room Unrest
Under Alonso's leadership, Madrid's elite players reportedly found the tactical sessions 'excessively demanding'. They complained of an information overload, becoming 'uncomfortable' as multiple coaches bombarded them with complex instructions during matches and training.
Key figures like Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior were said to have resisted buying into the collective, team-first ethos Alonso championed. Furthermore, the side lacked the midfield control once provided by legends Toni Kroos and Luka Modric, exacerbating the tactical disconnect.
MARCA claims the November rant 'opened a wound that would never heal', with Alonso having 'begun to leave' the club in the minds of players from that moment. Intriguingly, a 'buzz' around former player and Castilla manager Alvaro Arbeloa began circulating in the dressing room weeks before he was officially appointed as Alonso's successor.
The Final Straw and Player Backlash
Alonso was sacked fewer than 24 hours after losing 3-2 to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final in Jeddah on Sunday. A telling moment of his diminished authority came after that match, when Alonso wanted his team to perform a guard of honour for Barcelona. Mbappe refused, and the manager ultimately backed down.
Despite the reported rift, his record was not disastrous. Madrid remain in the La Liga title race and sit seventh in the new Champions League league phase. Since his departure, both Mbappe and Jude Bellingham have publicly defended their former manager.
Mbappe stated it was a 'pleasure' to work with Alonso. Bellingham issued a stronger denial on his personal app, rubbishing claims of a fallout. 'What a load of s***,' he wrote. 'Truly feel sorry for the people that hang onto the every word of these clowns and their "sources".' He urged fans not to believe everything they read, accusing certain outlets of spreading damaging misinformation for clicks.
The swift appointment of Alvaro Arbeloa, a familiar figure at the club's training ground, suggests Real Madrid's hierarchy had been planning for this contingency for some time, marking a dramatic and abrupt end to Xabi Alonso's dream job.
